Fasting, prayers mark Maha Shivratri
PTI | 09:02 PM,Feb 20,2012New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI) Devotees of Lord Shiva observed fast and flocked to beautifully-decorated temples as Maha Shivratri was celebrated with religious fervour and gusto by Hindus across the country today. Smearing bhasm (holy ashes) on their forehead, the worshippers, including women and children, flocked to temples decorated with festoons to offer prayers since early morning. They offered milk, Bilwa leaves and 'Gangajal' to the Shiva Linga. The devotees observed a stringent fast which would be broken only at the crack of dawn the next day. In Jammu, the faithful thronged temples, including cave shrine of Shiv Khori in Reasi district, and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva. Long-winding queues were seen outside Ranbeshwar temple, Peer Kho, Har-ki-Pouri and Shiv Parvati mandir in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Hindu calendar, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated a day or two before the new moon in the month of Phalgun (February-March). Lord Shiva is considered one of the deities of Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. PTI TEAM RKC
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