Maha Shivratri 2023: Devotees Across India Flock To Lord Shiva Temples To Pay Respect To Mahadev

Maha Shivratri

On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, devotees across India are flocking to famous Lord Shiva temples to pay respect to the divine. This Hindu festival celebrates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees chant mantras, observe fasts, prepare sweet milk and other favourtie bhogs, offer flowers to Mahadev and wish for the deity’s blessings. Here’s how India is celebrating this divine day.

Maha Shivratri: The Festival That Celebrates The Union Of Shiva & Shakti

Chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ resound across the country as Hindu devotees celebrate Maha Shivratri with fervour. unlike many other festivals which is celebrated in the morning, Maha Shivratri is celebrated at night. This is the auspicious time when Shiva (male energy) and Shakti(female energy) converged to keep the world in balance. So, Hindus worship Shiva and Shakti as theperfect union of love, oneness, balance and power.

Also Read: Rajasthan Has The Tallest Shiva Statue! Here Are 5 Unique Facts About This Statue Of Belief

Devotees Spend The Night Offering Prayers To Mahadev At Lord Shiva Temples

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath visited the Shiv temple in Gorakhnath Temple to seek blessings from the divine. In Dharmpur in Gujarat, the Maha Shivratri celebrations involved creating a massive Shivaling by incorporating 31 lakh rudrakshas. Scores of devotees flock to famous Lord Shiva temples in India like the Panchalingeswar Temple in Balasore, Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Kapileswar Temple in Dhenkanal, Loknath Temple in Puri and more.

Also Read: This 1000-Year-Old Shiva Temple In Bangalore Built By The Chola Dynasty Has Spellbinding Architecture

In fact on the auspicious night of Maha Shivratri, Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore is hosting a night long festival of meditations, music, cultural performances and dance. Thousands will thing Isha to catch a glimpse of the beautifully lit 112-feet tall Adiyogi. President Droupadi Murmu will make her first visit to Tamil Nadu as President and be part of the special celebrations helmed by Sadhguru.

It’s believed to be the darkest night of the year and the most powerful one. So, devotees spend the entire night going temple hopping to Lord Shiva temples in their city and offering prayers to Mahadev. How do you plan on celebrating this most festive night of the year? Let us know your thoughts about this renowned festival.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva

Sanjana Shenoy: Content, Coffee and Cats these are a few of Sanjana's favourite things. Born in Baroda, brought up in Kuwait, settled in Bangalore, travel and food is her blood, bread and butter. When she isn't brewing delicious, wanderlust content, she's busy planning the smatter of restaurants she'd visit over the weekend.