Today is Maha Shivratri, a unique day when Hindus around the world honour Lord Shiva, the third god of the Hindu trinity. People express their devotion by chanting prayers and mantras, fasting, meditating, and staying up late singing songs. They bathe before dawn and visit temples with offerings such as milk and flowers to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. Shivratri is observed on the 14th day of the New Moon phase in the Hindu lunar month of ‘Phalguna’. To commemorate this fortunate time for Shiva, many people share greetings, photographs, and photos of Lord Shiva, as well as Shiva mantras and prayers.
