Maha Shivratri 2022: How India celebrated the auspicious festival

Maha Shivratri is said to be the convergence of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Shakti, the masculine and feminine energies balancing the universe. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

On this day, Shiva puja is performed during nishita kaal or midnight, whose puja time is between 12.08 am to 12.58 am on March 2. (Express photo by Arul Horizon)

Devotees visit the Shivoham Shiva Temple in Bengaluru on the auspicious occasion. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

Maha Shivratri celebration at Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Bengaluru. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

On Maha Shivratri, devotees offer prayers at Shiv Bhawan at Durga Mata Mandir in Ludhiana. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Maha Shivratri celebration at Shivoham Shiva Temple, Bengaluru. (Express photo by Jithendra M)

On this day, people fast so as to appease Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. Devotees at Pataleshwar cave temple on JM road. (Express photo by Arul Horizon)

People offer puja at Shree Sarvodaya Parshwanath Shwetambar Jain Mandir in Ghatkopar West, Mumbai. (Express photo by Pradip Das)