The Mahashivratri festival is being celebrated across the country today with deep devotion and spiritual fervor. Considered one of the most sacred occasions for devotees of Lord Shiva, the day is marked by fasting, special prayers, and night-long worship at temples. Thousands of devotees take holy dips at pilgrimage sites, seeking blessings for peace and prosperity.
Devotees are taking holy dips in various rivers and worshipping Lord Shiva in temples in Uttar Pradesh. The administration has made elaborate arrangements for today's bathing at Sangam, which will also mark the end of the Magh Mela.
Long queues of devotees can be seen at various Shiva temples across the state from early morning. Amid the prayers for Lord Shiva, people are taking a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Prayagraj.
After the bath, devotees offer prayers at different temples of Lord Shiva. Special arrangements are in place at Shiva temples, including the famous Mankameshwar, Someshwar, and Nag Vasuki temples.
The ongoing annual Magh Mela at Sangam in Prayagraj will come to an end with the last official bathing of Maha Shivaratri today.
Meanwhile, devotees are expected to gather at famous Shiva temples across the state, including the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Gola Gokarnnath in Kheeri, Lodheshwar Mahadev in Barabanki, Jharkhandi Mahadev, Munjeshwarnath, and Mukteshwarnath in Gorakhpur, Baba Augharnath in Meerut, Nageshwarnath in Ayodhya, and Bateshwar Mahadev in Agra.
On this occasion, processions of Shiva devotees will also be carried out in many cities. The administration has also made elaborate arrangements for Kanwariyas, who will offer Gangajal to Lord Shiva.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended wishes to the citizens on the occasion of Mahashivratri. The President, in her message, prayed that the grace of Lord Shiva remain on all citizens and India continue to advance on the path of progress.
The Vice President, in a social media post, said, from Kashi to Rameswaram, the holy festival stands as a living symbol of the nation's eternal and unbroken spiritual tradition. Mr. Radhakrishnan wished that the blessings of Mahadev and Goddess Parvati bring happiness, prosperity, and good health to the citizens.
The Prime Minister, in his message, expressed hope that all the citizens are blessed by Lord Shiva and the country sits enthroned at the peak of prosperity.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Home Minister Amit Shah also extended greetings to the people on the sacred occasion of Mahashivratri. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called Mahashivratri a festival of faith, penance, and self-reflection. He highlighted that the festival reminds the people of Lord Shiva’s infinite compassion, sacrifice, restraint, and the power of resolve.
Mr. Birla said, Lord Shiva teaches the people to maintain patience even in adverse circumstances, to have the courage to turn poison into nectar, and to remain steadfast on the path of truth. Home Minister prayed that Lord Mahadev may bless every citizen with happiness, peace, and prosperity.