The month of Sawan is considered extremely auspicious and sacred for the worship of Lord Shiva. During the month of Shravan, devotees perform rituals such as *Jalabhishek* (offering water), *Rudrabhishek*, *bhajan-kirtan* (devotional singing), and other religious ceremonies to please Lord Shiva. They also offer milk, *Belpatra* (wood apple leaves), *Dhatura*, and flowers. In Hindu scriptures, the items offered to the *Shivling* are referred to as '*Nirmalya*'.

According to the *Shiv Puran*, Lord Shiva's attendant, Chandeshwar, is considered to have a claim over any object that has touched the *Shivling*; therefore, it is avoided as *Prasad* (sanctified food). Let us find out from the astrologers at Astropatri what should be done with the items offered to the *Shivling* during Sawan.

According to Astropatri's astrologers, materials offered to Lord Shiva—such as water, milk, *Belpatra*, flowers, and *Dhatura*—are known as *Nirmalya*. This sacred material should never be discarded in ordinary trash. Doing so prevents one from receiving Lord Shiva's grace and renders the fruits of the worship futile.

**Proper Methods for Using and Disposing of *Nirmalya***

Religious guidelines must be followed to properly dispose of the materials offered during *Shivling* worship in Sawan. Keep three specific things in mind when disposing of *Nirmalya*:

**Offering at the Roots of a Tree**
After worship, immerse items like *Belpatra* and flowers in clean water or bury them at the base of a *Bel* or *Peepal* tree.

**Making Organic Manure**
The best way to dispose of *Nirmalya* is to place these natural materials into a pit in the ground to create organic manure. This is considered an excellent and appropriate method.

**Sprinkling Sacred Water**
Sprinkling the water offered to the *Shivling* (or *Gangajal*) around the house helps eliminate negativity.

Every object becomes sacred and pure after coming into contact with the *Shivling*. In such a situation, if you disrespect *Nirmalya* or throw it away with ordinary waste, it is considered an act of disrespect. Therefore, the next time you dispose of *Nirmalya*, please pay special attention to these guidelines.