Om Namah Shivaya...Shivaratri is a rare and greatly auspicious occasion where one can easily escape from the clutches of 'kali' (negativity/evil) in this kali yuga. No matter how severe your sins are, you can overcome them and attain moksha if you just repent for your mistakes and prostrate in front of Lord Shiva atleast once with sincere devotion on Shivaratri (Shivaratri falls on March 10th, Sunday in 2013). It is believed that on Shivaratri, even abstract paintings of Lord Shiva will be powerful enough to grant boons.The following is a very simple ritual which anybody can follow to wash their sins away and attain the blessings of Lord Shiva on this holy Shivaratri.

In the morning, after bathing, light a lamp in front of a photo of Lord Shiva. Then chant 'om ganapathaye namah , om lambodharaya namah, om ekadantaya namah' and pray to Lord Ganesha to remove any obstacles in your prayer. Then keep the tips of your fingers at the base of the lamp and close your eyes. Visualize that you are holding the feet of Lord Shiva. In your mind , sincerely apologize for the mistakes/sins which you may have knowingly or unknowingly performed. Then chant the following simple Shiva mantra

om shiva shiva hara hara mahadeva shiva shiva hara hara neelakanda shiva shiva hara hara gowrishankara namosthuthe

Repeat the mantra loudly or in your mind as many times as possible, while showering the base of the lamp with flowers (if you can use 'bilva leaves' then it is greatly auspicious). Then take some water in your right hand and gently pour it at the base of the lamp while chanting 'om namah shivaya' 11 times. Then prostrate in front of Lord Shiva and ask for his blessings. Do not ask for the destruction of any enemies, only pray that you should have the infinite compassion and blessings of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati always. God knows what is best for you.

Throughout the day, chant 'Om namah shivaya' whenever you can. You can do it in your home, shop, office,etc. regardless of what you are doing. If possible, donate some food to a poor hungry person and to some animal. If performed with sincere devotion, the above mentioned simple shivaratri ritual will wash away all your sins and release you from all suffering. I would like to reiterate that 'sincere' devotion is the only requirement for moksha. May Lord Shiva bless everyone with peace,happiness and moksha. Om namah shivaya.

Source : onlyhinduism