Since then, Mahashivaratri is also believed to be an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the well being of their husbands and sons. An unmarried woman prays for a husband like Shiva , who is considered to be the ideal husband. They offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva . This is a purification rite, an important part of all Hindu festivals. Wearing a clean piece of clothing after the holy bath, worshippers carry pots of water to the temple to bathe the Shivling .
Devotees circumambulate the linga , three or seven times, and then pour water over it.
Some also pour milk.