Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 86
प्रविश्य च प्रणम्येशं ततो गर्भगृहं विशेत् । पाणी प्रक्षाल्य तच्चित्तो निर्माल्यमवरोपयेत्
praviśya ca praṇamyeśaṃ tato garbhagṛhaṃ viśet | pāṇī prakṣālya taccitto nirmālyamavaropayet
Having entered and bowed to the Lord, he should then go into the garbhagṛha, the inner sanctum. Washing his hands and steadying his mind, he should remove the nirmālya, the earlier offerings.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Type: temple
Scene: A devotee-priest enters a Śiva temple, offers praṇāma, steps toward the garbhagṛha, washes hands at a small water vessel, and carefully removes yesterday’s wilted flowers and bilva leaves from the liṅga pedestal with focused composure.
FAQs
Reverence and cleanliness—outer washing and inner concentration—are essential before serving Śiva in the sanctum.
No particular tīrtha is named; the verse outlines standard sanctum-worship practice in Śaiva temples.
Bow to Śiva, enter the garbhagṛha, wash hands, focus the mind, and remove nirmālya (previous offerings).