GUWAHATI, Feb 21 - Maha Shivaratri was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the State today.
The occasion is marked by devotees worshipping Shiva � one of the deities of the Hindu trinity � since early morning.
Guwahati also had its share of the celebrations, with devotees in their hordes thronging the city�s Shiva temples to pay obeisance to the Lord.
Maha Shivaratri rituals include observing fast during day and night, performing a ritual bath of the Shivalinga with water, milk, honey and ghee, offering belpatra, flowers, and special offering of bhang and dhatura (believed to be Shiva�s favourite items). Maha Shivaratri holds special significance for the worshippers, who perform bhajans and sing devotional songs praising Shiva for the entire night. Some special puja is also performed at Shiva temples that continues till the wee hours of the next day.
The Umananda Temple near Guwahati in the middle of the Brahmaputra witnessed a huge rush of devotees and the district administration of Kamrup (Metro) made special arrangements to ensure smooth management of the crowd. Special ferry services were provided since early morning to and fro the island.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were also deployed in adequate numbers with life jackets, keeping in mind the huge flow of people to the island.
Sukreswar Temple, Kamakhya Temple, Basistha Temple, Lankeshwar Temple, Hanuman Temple and other temples of Lord Shiva at Panjabari, Chenikuthi, Shaktigarh and many other areas also witnessed rush of devotees. Puja was also performed at numerous small temples and designated spaces on the roadsides throughout the city.
