Devotees throng Shiva temples in New Delhi

Mahashivratri was celebrated with great fervour in the city today with devotees thronging Shiva temples since early morning to offer prayers.

The faithful were seen waiting in long, serpentine queues to offer milk and 'Gangajal' to the shivlingams at the temples.

"This is a very auspicious day. I got up at 3 am and went to the nearby Shiva temple to offer prayers. But still the queue outside the temple was quite long," said Mona, a housewife who stays in Jungpura area of the city.
    
Rashmi, a 22-year-old devotee from Malviyanagar locality of the city said, she had started preparation for the puja last night itself.

"I had completed all the preparations last night itself and could sleep for just three hours only," she said.
   
Most women observe a fast on the auspicious occasion, which also symbolises the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.

In several areas of the city, devotees also took out the traditional marriage procession of Shiva.

Some Shiva temples in the city were also beautifully decorated as part of the celebration.
   
The devotees believe that offering prayers to Shiva on Mahashivratri brings prosperity and happiness.