Herath Mubarak: Kashmir celebrates Shivratri

Mahashivaratri or Herath as it is known in Kashmir, which falls on the intervening night of February 20-21, is a festival celebrated annually to honour Lord Shiva and also marks the day of the marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. As per legends, the festival also commemorates the day Shiva saved the world from the pot of poison that emerged during the great mythical churning of the ocean called Samudra Manthan. (Express photo:Shuaib Masoodi)

The festival is held on the 13th night (waning moon) and 14th day of the month of Phalguna. In the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in either February or March and marks Mahashivaratri which means "the Great Night of Shiva". The word 'Herath' has been derived from a sanskrit word 'Hararatri' or the 'Night of Hara', which is another name of Lord Shiva. (Express photo:Shuaib Masoodi)

Prayers held on the day after nightlong Mahashivaratri are called 'salaam' in Kashmir. The festival is considered as one of the biggest for Kashmiri Pandits.(Express photo:Shuaib Masoodi)

The occasion was celebrated with great fervour at the famous Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar also. (Express photo: Shuaib Masoodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted people on the occasion. "Herath Mubarak. May there be peace and prosperity all over. Praying for everyone's happiness and good health," he said in a tweet. (Express photo:Shuaib Masoodi)

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor G C Murmu also greeted people on the occasion and expressed hope that the festival will further strengthen the communal harmony in the union territory. (Express photo:Shuaib Masoodi)

In his felicitation message, the Lt Governor observed that the celebration of this festival is a valuable part of our glorious cultural heritage symbolizing the values of piety, devotion and brotherhood. (Express photo:Shuaib Masoodi)