Just as it is forbidden to offer Tulsi to Lord Shiva, similarly it is also considered taboo to offer flowers on the Shivling. Why this flower is not offered to Lord Shiva is a legend related to it. Let’s know
Religious belief is that the flower of Ketki is not offered to Lord Shiva, because the flower of Ketki lied to Lord Brahma, due to which Lord Shiva cursed him that it would never be used in his worship. Let’s know its story in detail.
According to mythology, once Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma were searching for the beginning and end of a Jyotirlinga. Even after many efforts, when that Jyotirlinga was not found again, Brahma ji asked Ketki to lie to the flower.
Brahma ji told Ketki’s flower that he said in front of Lord Shiva and Vishnu that I have gained the end of Jyotirlinga. In such a situation, at the behest of Brahma ji, Ketki’s flower supported him and lied to Bholenath.
When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he became angry and cut a head of Brahma in anger. Also, Ketki’s flower is cursed that it would never be used in their worship.
For this reason, Ketki flowers are not used in the worship of Lord Shiva. Religious belief is that by offering flowers on Shivling, Lord Shiva gets angry and does not show his grace.