Devotees offered prayers to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, which is being celebrated across the nation today.
Devotees thronged the Assam Rifles Shiva temples, one of the oldest in the capital city, right from noon to perform special pujas with milk, ghee, honey and incense sticks.
"Every month there is Shivaratri, but today is special as it is 'Maha Shivaratri' and is celebrated every year on the 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Falgun in the Hindu calendar. On this day, lord Shiva was married to goddess Parvati and so this day is special," said Prabhakar Pandey, the temple priest.
"People from all communities come here to pray because Shiva gets pleased very fast on anyone who is devoted to him and fulfills their wishes with his blessing," he added.
As part of Maha Shivaratri celebrations, many temples in and around the city were decorated and religious programmes in temples and mutts went throughout the day.
Special pujas like 'rudrabhisheka' and 'special alankara' were organised.
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Ila Sengupta, a devotee from Kolkata, said Maha Shivaratri is a big day for celebration, especially for the women.
"I enjoyed here and came here to pray wishing well-being for everyone. I also prayed for the well-being of my neighours and countrymen," she added.
The Maha Shivaratri festival is celebrated every year on the 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Falgun in the Hindu calendar.