The great festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated on the Chaturdashi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Phalgun. It is considered the most important day for Shiva worship. This date is especially fruitful for devotees of Bholenath, as worship on this day brings quick, auspicious results. This year, Mahashivratri falls on February 15th. Religious belief holds that Lord Shiva is extremely kind and easy-going. He is pleased even with a mere offering of a pot of water.

Many types of flowers are offered during Shiva worship, some of which are very dear to Mahadev. However, scriptures also mention certain flowers that are considered forbidden to be offered to the Shivalinga. Let us learn from Ujjain's renowned astrologer, Acharya Anand Bhardwaj, which flower should never be offered to Mahadev.

Mention in Mythology
According to a famous story in the Shiva Purana, once upon a time, Brahma, the creator of the universe, and Lord Vishnu, the preserver, disagreed over who was superior. The dispute became so intense that it eventually reached Lord Shiva himself. Lord Shiva, using his divine powers, manifested a vast and infinite Shivalinga and told both that whoever could find its beginning and end would be considered the greatest. Accepting this challenge, Brahma went downwards, and Vishnu went upwards. However, despite endless attempts, they were unable to find the end of the Shivalinga. Finally, Lord Vishnu realized the truth and, bowing before Mahadev, confessed his mistake, thus establishing Shiva's supremacy.

The Flower Lied Because of Brahma
After Lord Vishnu admitted defeat, Brahma returned to Mahadev. Despite countless attempts, he too had been unable to find the beginning and end of the Shivalinga. Disappointed, while returning, he saw a Ketaki flower on the way. To save his reputation, Brahma persuaded Ketaki to support his claim and urged her to give false testimony. Thus, he decided to lie to Shiva.

The Ketaki Flower Receives a Curse
At Brahma's behest, the Ketaki flower arrived with Brahma at Lord Shiva. Brahma told Shiva that he had found the end, and the proof was the Ketaki flower. Lord Shiva knew he was lying. Enraged by the Ketaki flower's lie, Lord Shiva cut off Brahma's fifth head and cursed the Ketaki flower, saying it would not be used in any of his worship. Therefore, the Ketaki flower is considered forbidden in the worship of Lord Shiva.

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