http://www.theshivaexperience.

com/dos-and-donts-of-shivling-puja/

 The first and foremost thing that one needs to be kept in mind before performing any puja is that the
devotee should take a bath

 Never put tulsi (basil) leaves on the shivling. Always offer only Bael leaves
 When offering milk to the shivling make sure that you never use pasteurized or packet milk and
make sure you always use ice cold milk

 Never offer coconut water as an offering to the shivling, although you can offer coconuts

 Although many fruits can be offered but the most common fruit that is offered to the shivling on all
major festivals is Bael (wood apple) as it signifies longevity

 The shivling should be first offered Panchamrit, which is a mixture of milk, ganga jal, saffron,
sugar/honey and water

 It is believed that the shivling and the idol of Lord Shiva should only be offered white flowers
because Lord Shiva is said to be especially fond of flowers that are white in colour.

 Never offer kewda and champa flowers as they are said to be cursed by Lord Shiva

 The devotees can put a tilak of sandalwood paste on the shivling.

 Never use a kumkum tilak for the shivling, although the devotees can use it for the idols of goddess
Parvati and Lord Ganesha

 It is believed that the devotees should never consume whatever they have offered to the shivling as
it brings bad omen, leads to loss of good luck and money and can also cause illness.

 The abhishek should always be done in a naag yoni stand which is made up of gold, silver or brass

 Never use a steel stand for the abhishek

 Always remember if you keep a shivling at home it should be accompanied by a jaldhara. If the
shivling is worshipped without the jaldhara it attracts negative energies.

There are many other beliefs that are suggested by various experts and religious figures but these
are the main things that should be kept in mind while worshipping the shivling.