Mangalore : The Hindu festival of Maha Shivratri (Great Night of Lord Shiva), dedicated to worship God Shiva, is celebrated on 27 February, Thursday in Shiva Temples Mangalore, Udupi and Kasaragod districts.

Maha Shivratri is observed on the 13th night/14th day of the 11th Hindu month of Phalguna or Maagh every year.

Hindu devotees will be celebrating the auspicious day by fasting and offering special prayers to Lord Shiva, the god of destruction. Maha Shivratri is not just celebrated in India but also in other regions including Nepal, where Lord Shiva is worshipped.

As devotees pray to the Lord, they chant “Om Namah Shivaya!” throughout the Maha Shivratri night.

In Mangalore Kadri Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple, Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple at Pandeshwar, and various other shrines, devotees thronged since the morning to pay their obeisance to the Lord.

The large number of devotees from different parts of the state participated in the Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Temple, and took darshan of Lord Manjunatha Swami since the morning.