Photo Gallery: Maha Shivratri celebrations grip the nation in festive fervour

The auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri is being celebrated across India on Friday with full fervour. Sea of devotees on throng temples to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and observe fast. Maha Shivratri, '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).

Here is how India is celebrating Maha Shivratri.

(Image Courtesy: ANI)

Devotees perform rituals on the occasion of Maha Shivratri festival at Mankameshwar Mandir bank of river Yamuna, in Prayagraj. 

(Image Courtesy: ANI)

Devotees throng on occasion of Maha Shivratri at Shiv Temple in Surat on Friday. 

(Image Courtesy: ANI)

A glimpse of the Maha Shivratri celebrations in Chitrakoot.

 Devotees queue up to offer prayers to Lord Shiva at a temple in Jharkhand.

Hindu devotees pour water and milk over a Lingam (representation of deity Shiva) at Kashi Vishweshwar temple in Mumbai on Maha Shivratri. 

(Image Courtesy: ANI)

A CRPF jawan ringing a hanging bell on the occasion of Maha Shivratri festival at the Shankar-Acharya temple atop a hill-lock, locally called Takht-e-Sulaiman, in Srinagar Friday. 

(Image Courtesy: ANI)