Shivaratri observed in Jharkhand

Lakhs of devotees today thronged temples, including Deoghar's world famous Baidyanath temple, in Jharkhand on the occasion of Shivaratri.

Long queues were seen at Baidyanath temple, Dumka's Basukinath temple, Ranchi's Pahari Mandir and several other Shiva temples across the state.

"Shiv Baraat has been taken out tonight, which will cover about eight km in Deoghar town," a priest said in Deoghar.

Devotees also thronged Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, where Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had on January 23 hoisted the country's largest tricolour.