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  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees worship lord Shiva at an Amritsar temple on Mahashivratri on Feb 17, 2017IANS
  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees worship lord Shiva at an Amritsar temple on Mahashivratri on Feb 17, 2017IANS
  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees offering prayers in a temple to Lord Shiva, on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, in New Delhi on Feb 17, 2015IANS
  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees offer prayers to lord Shiva at Kashi Vishveshwar Temple of Mahim, Mumbai on Mahashivratri on Feb 17, 2017IANS
  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees offer prayers to lord Shiva at Kashi Vishveshwar Temple of Mahim, Mumbai on Mahashivratri on Feb 17, 2017IANS
  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees offer prayers to lord Shiva at Kashi Vishveshwar Temple of Mahim, Mumbai on Mahashivratri on Feb 17, 2017IANS
  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees offer prayers to lord Shiva at Kashi Vishveshwar Temple of Mahim, Mumbai on Mahashivratri on Feb 17, 2017IANS
  • Maha Shivratri 2015: Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Shiva in Pictures
    Devotees throng a Shiva temple in Shimla to collect `Ghotta` - a preparation made from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant - on Mahashivratri on Feb 17, 2017IANS

"Maha Shivratri" is celebrated with religious fervour by devotees of Lord Shiva.

It is celebrated not just in India, but also in other countries including Nepal, where there are many worshippers of Lord Shiva.

According to Hindu texts, "Maha Shivratri" is the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. Thus, the day marks the union of Shiva and Shakti, the two greatest forces of the Universe.

The night of the occasion, unmarried women pray to get a husband like Lord Shiva and devotees also worship the God to acheive success and drive away evil spirits.

Also, thousands of devotees take a holy dip at various pilgrimage destinations on this occasion. From early morning, devotees form long queues in various temples in India to offer prayers and also witness the "Rudra Abhishekam" of Lord Shiva. Some devotees also smear ash on their bodies.

Some followers fast and offer special prayers to Lord Shiva, the god of destruction.

Check out the above slideshow of Hindu devotees from different cities worshipping Lord Shiva.

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