Mahashivratri 2019 to mark end of Kumbh Mela; crores of devotees throng temples all over India
Lakhs of devotees queued up outside temples across India to celebrate Mahashivratri. The day also marked the end of the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj
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Lakhs of devotees celebrated Mahashivratri across the country on Monday, observing fasts, offering fruits and milk to shivalingas in temples and conducting the tradition of whispering into the ear of the Nandi bull. Seen here are the festivities in Ahmedabad. AP
Kashmiri Pandits call this auspicious day Hairath. Seen here are women praying at Jammu's Aap Shambhu temple. PTI
This year’s Mahashivratri also marks the culmination of the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The last shahi snaan will take place on Monday, which will see a crowd of crores of devotees. PTI
Long queues were seen outside various temples all over India. Some of the biggest celebrations are held in Ujjain, Somnath and Varanasi. Seen here are devotees at a temple in Prayagraj. PTI
Leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Minister Arun Jaitley, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani wished the nation on Mahashivratri. Seen here are devotees at Jabalpur's Kachnar temple. PTI
Naga sadhus participate in a procession to offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. PTI
Many temples across the country organise cultural programmes to mark the occasion. Seen here are devotees praying at Kota's 525 Shivling temple. PTI
Devotees of Shri Pashupatinath Nepali Community participate in a Gangajali Kalash Yatra in Bhopal to mark Mahashivratri celebrations. PTI