How many belpatra should be offered on a shivling?

There is no strict, universally fixed number of belpatra required for offering on a shivling. What matters more in common practice is the condition of the leaf, fresh, undamaged and trifoliate, placed with its smooth side facing down toward the shivling.

A few fresh leaves offered with sincerity during each round of worship is the widely followed approach across most households and temples, rather than any household counting out a precise figure before beginning the puja. Since bel leaves are usually easy to find in most parts of India, quantity has never really been the point of concern that quality has been, and this holds true whether the puja is a quick daily one or a longer Mahashivratri observance.

Is there a specific count that scripture asks for?

There is no single number consistently cited as mandatory across texts and regional practice. Devotees commonly offer a handful of leaves through a puja rather than counting out an exact figure, and the emphasis in most guidance falls on the freshness and shape of the leaf rather than a strict quantity to be reached, whether at home or at a temple.

What makes a belpatra suitable for offering?

A trifoliate leaf, with three leaflets joined together, is the preferred form. Fresh, green and undamaged leaves are chosen over torn, yellowed or wilted ones. The smooth, glossy side is generally placed facing down against the shivling, with the ridged side facing upward, following the pattern most temples also use during daily worship and on larger occasions alike.

Can a belpatra be reused after it has been offered once?

Most households avoid reusing a leaf that has already been offered, and prefer a fresh one for each occasion of worship. Since bel leaves are usually easy to source in most parts of India, this is a straightforward practice to follow without much planning ahead of time, and most households pick a few extra leaves on the way to avoid running short.

Related reading: What to offer Shiva on Mahashivratri, and what not. Start with the full guide: Diwali Lakshmi Puja at home.