IN PICTURES: The great night of Lord Shiva

Mahashivratri, one of the major Hindu festivals, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. On this day, devotees stay awake throughout the night offering prayers to the Lord.

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After the Creation, Parvati, Shiva's wife, asked him which devotees and rituals pleased him the most. Shiva replied that the 14th night of the new moon, is his most favourite day.

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Mahashivratri is celebrated day and night -- many devotees observe fast day and night -- and give sacred bath to the Shivlinga, the symbol of the energy and potentiality of the god, and chant “Om Namah Shivay”.

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As per traditions, the penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's 'highest good,' steadily and swiftly.

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The religious belief is that if one offers milk, Dhatura (a kind of intoxicating plant) and belpatra to Lord Shiva and observes a night-long vigil and a fast, one will receive heavenly blessings.

The Shiva temples are bursting with life as people gather for worship throughout the day, where special pujas are offered to the Lord from day break.

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Advanced seekers, spend most of their time in meditation. Married women pray for their husband's longer life, while unmarried women pray for a virtuous husband.

In the holy city of Allahabad, lakhs of devotees take a divine dip in the Ganga.

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The devotees only break their fast the next morning, and eat the prasad offered to Shiva.

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In South India, Mahashivratri is a widely celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as Lord Shiva is regarded as the Adi Guru from whom the yogic tradition originates.

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In Nepal, thousands of devotees, including those from India, throng the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu and queue up for hours for a darshan of the Lord.

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The devotees take Prasad, sing Shiva hymns, make bonfire and take holy dips. This day also marks the day when the Lord performed the divine dance, Tandava, which depicts his violent nature. Shiva as Natraja is also considered the supreme lord of dance.

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