Devotees throng temples across nation to offer prayers

Gorakhpur/ Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)/ Amritsar (Punjab)/ Delhi/ Mumbai, Feb 21 (ANI): Sea of devotees thronged temples of Lord Shiva in several parts of the country to offer prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on February 21. Devotees visited Babulnath Temple in Mumbai, Shri Gauri Shankar Temple in Delhi's Chandni Chowk and 'Shivala Bagh Bhaiyan' temple in Amritsar to offer prayers. Maha Shivratri, which literally translates to 'the greatest night of Shiva' is one of the most splendidly celebrated festivals across the country. It celebrates the grand marriage of the lord of destruction - Shiva - with the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty - Parvati - who is also known as Shakti (power). In Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, devotees also took holy dip in river on this pious day. According to Hindu mythology, on the night of the marriage, Lord Shiva had a very diverse group of acquaintances including Hindu gods, goddesses, animals and demons escorting him to the house of the goddess. Th