In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

New Delhi, Feb 27: The "God of Gods", Lord Shiva, the supreme power, is being worshipped all over India, by his devotees on the auspicious occasion of the Maha Shivratri, on Thursday.

Since early morning, the devotees thronged to temples to offer prayers and to appease Lord Shiva, while chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" hymns.

The devotees offer milk, honey, belpatra leaves and flowers over the Shivlinga.

Devotees throng to temples to offer prayers and to appease Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivaratri literally means the "Great Night of Lord Shiva" and is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha month of the Hindu calendar.

This festival hold special relevance to women and girls. Unmarried girls observe day-long fast for Lord Shiva, so that he bestows them with an ideal husband.

Married women also observe fast to seek blessings from the, third-eyed Lord Shiva for the well-being of their families.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in view of large number of devotees visiting Kashi-Vishwanath temple on the occasion of Maha Shivratri festival.

Here are some pics of how the devotees celebrated Maha Shivratri in various states of India:

In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

A foreign devotee worshipping Shivlinga on the banks of Ganga,Varanasi on Thusday.

In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

A Kashmiri Pandit Couple performs puja during the celebrations of Maha Shivratri Festival, at Habbal Kadal in Srinagar on Thursday.

In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

Devotees offer milk to perform ritual "Abhishek" to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Shivratri festival at Mankameshwar temple, in Allahabad on Thursday.

In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

Devotees offer milk to perform ritual "Abhishek" to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Shivratri festival at Mankameshwar temple, in Allahabad on Thursday.

In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

Devotees offering prayers at Kopineswar temple on the occasion of Shivratri in Thane on Thursday.

In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

Devotees dressed as Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali take part in a Shobha Yatra on the eve of Maha Shivratri in Patiala on Wednesday.

In pics: Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva on Maha Shivratri

People gather to celebrate Maha Shivratri festival on the eve of Maha Shivratri in Varanasi on Wednesday.

OneIndia News