Mangalore : Maha Shivratri is being celebrated across the nation on Thursday, with millions of devotess keeping fast and offering prayers to seek Lord Shiva’s blessing. Also known as Shivaratri, the festival celebrates the convergence of Shiva and Shakti on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha. Women observe fast and offer prayers both to Lord Shiva and Parvati to seek a blissful married life.

Among the many legends associated with Maha Shivratri are marriage of Shiva and Shakti and Ganga’s descent from the heavens to the earth. Maha Shivratri also marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava” dance.

Devotees offer Bael or golden apple to Lord Shiva and chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Om Namah Shivaya on this day, which is celebrated across India, Nepal and other regions where Lord Shiva is worshipped. The Amarnath temple in Jammu and Kashmir remains crowded by pilgrims throughout the year, especially on Maha Shivratri.