Tue Feb 25 02:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Maha Shivratri: Devotees throng temples, observe rituals and restrictions
**Prayagraj, India** – Millions of devotees flocked to Shiva temples across India today to celebrate Maha Shivratri, the auspicious night dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati’s marriage. The festival, however, is not just about celebration; it’s also marked by a series of prescribed dos and don’ts, believed to ensure divine blessings.
According to religious beliefs, several actions are considered inauspicious on this day. These include consuming tamasic (dark, heavy) food, engaging in arguments or causing distress to others, sleeping during the day after morning prayers, offering broken rice to the Shivling, harboring negative thoughts, disrespecting women, and offering specific flowers (lotus, kaner, and ketki) to Lord Shiva. Similarly, offering turmeric, vermillion, henna, or sindoor is also discouraged.
Conversely, devotees are encouraged to wake up early, bathe, wear clean clothes, purify the temple with Ganga water, perform puja (worship) with prescribed rituals, and partake in a sattvic (pure) meal. Donating to charity is also considered highly auspicious. Devotees often perform abhishekam (sacred anointing) of the Shivling with specific offerings and chant Shiva Chalisa and mantras.
The festival saw massive crowds at temples nationwide, highlighting the deep religious significance of Maha Shivratri in Indian culture.
First Piper 