Images: Festive fervour grips devotees, heavy rush in temples on Maha Shivratri

Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, witnessed heavy rush on Friday (February 21) as devotees celebrated Maha Shivratri festival with traditional zeal and religious fervour across the world.

Cutting across age barriers, devotees, including women and children, thronged small and big shrines since early morning to offer prayers and take part in special poojas and rituals on the occasion.

Devotees used to mark the auspicious occasion by observing fast chanting shlokas and mantras. Ardent devotees even remain awake throughout the night and spend their whole day in temples.

Pashupatinath temple in Nepal, Sreekandeswaram Mahadeva Temple in Kerala, Vadakkunnathan temple in Thrissur were among the major shrines which witnessed heavy rush since early morning.

Thousands of visitors, from different parts of Nepal and India, visit the Pashupatinath Temple on the day.

According to Hindu mythology, Maha Shivratri is celebrated due to the alliance of Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati, some others believe this was the day when Shiva presented himself in the form of Jyotirlinga — that neither has a beginning nor an end.

Take a look at the celebrations across India: