Maha Shivratri celebrated with fervour

Bhopal, Mar 06: The festival of Maha Shivratri was celebrated with religious fervour across the state on Thursday. Devotees in lakhs thronged in the holy city of Ujjain and Bhojpur, near state capital. On the occasion of 'Mahashivratri' a huge influx of devotees in serpentine rows had 'darshan' of Lord Shiva at this ancient temple town's Mahakaleshar temple, among the 12 jyotirlingas of India.

District Collector and Temple Managing Committee President Shivshekhar Shukla took part in the worship. All the Shiva temples throughout the town have been specially decorated. Mahashivratri marks the marriage ceremony of the Lord and on this occasion He is decked as a bridegroom and the grand campus of temple converted into a marriage 'pandal'. In the view of inflow of thousands of devotees in the temple its doors were opened last night itself devotees thronged the Mangalnath and Siddhwat temple. Devotees had started gathering from across the country since late night.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with his family members offered prayers at Badwale Mahadev temple in Kayasthpura. He also participated in the barat of Bhagwan Bateshwar. Mayor Sunil Sood, BJP leader ALok Sharma and others were also present. Besides, Chief Minister also participated in puja programmes at several places. Public Relations Minister Laxmikant Sharma and School Education Minister offered prayers Paras Jain offered prayers at Mahakal temple of Ujjain. In view of making all the domes of gold, IFFCO Managing Director Udaishankar Awasthi handed over a cheque of Rs 31.71 lakh to district Collector.