13:00 February 21
Man plays guitar, sings songs for Shiva on Maha Shivratri
Delhi:A man from Punjab was seen playing a guitar and singing songs as an offering to Lord Shiva in Madipur area here.
The devotee had come to Madipur with his two brothers especially for the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
The Shiva temple here is an abode to a huge idol of Lord Shiva, which devotees gathered in large numbers to make offerings to.
12:45 February 21
Devotees in Madipur offer fans to Lord Shiva
New Delhi:The festival of Maha Shivratri was celebrated at Madipur's with pomp and gaity.
The Shiva temple here is said to date back to the era of Pandavas and as part of an amusing tradition, devotees at this temple offer fans to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
11:28 February 21
Devotees celebrate Maha Shivratri in Noida
Noida:Elaborate security arrangements were made at the Shiva temple situated in Noida Sector-19 for welcoming devotees on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
An estimated 1.5 lakh number of devotees reached the temple early in the morning to seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
This temple is considered one of the oldest in the region.
11:15 February 21
Shivratri celebrations at Gujarat's Somnath temple
Gujarat:Shivratri celebrations at Somnath Jyotirlinga temple here were commemorated with a grand Aarti on the auspicious occasion.
09:43 February 21
Devotees throng to Mahakal temple in Ujjain for Shivratri
Ujjain:Devotees from across Madhya Pradesh thronged to the Mahakaleshwar temple here for the celebration of Maha Shivratri.
The festival is being celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor with devotees reaching the temple at midnight and standing in queues to seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
07:09 February 21
New Delhi: Sea of devotees on Friday morning throng temples of Lord Shiva in several parts of the country to offer prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
Devotees visited Babulnath Temple in Mumbai, Shri Gauri Shankar Temple in Delhi's Chandni Chowk and 'Shivala Bagh Bhaiyan' temple in Amritsar to offer prayers.
The 25 feet tall 'shivling' at Brahma Kumaris in Kalaburagi, has been decorated with around 300 kg pigeon peas, local produce, on the occasion in Karnataka.
In Odisha, L Eswar Rao, an artist from Bhubaneswar's Jatni, has made a miniature model of a 'Shivling', on a pencil nib and on the stone inside a small bottle on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri, which literally translates to 'the greatest night of Shiva' is one of the most splendidly celebrated festivals across the country. It celebrates the grand marriage of the lord of destruction, Shiva -- with the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty -- Parvati, who is also known as Shakti (power).
According to Hindu mythology, on the night of the marriage, Lord Shiva had a very diverse group of acquaintances including Hindu gods, goddesses, animals, and demons escorting him to the house of the goddess.
The duo of Shiv and Shakti is considered to be the epitome of love, power, and togetherness. The festival marking the initiation of their bond - 'Maha Shivratri' - is celebrated with great fervour across India.
Inputs from ANI