Shivratri celebrated in Nepal and India

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Shivratri celebrated in Nepal and India
7th March 2016
Hindus across the world are celebrating Mahashivratri, or Shiva's night festival, believed to be the day Shiva got married.

Celebrated by Hindu devotees all over the world, Shivaratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and holy men ─ sadhus ─ mark the occasion by praying, smoking marijuana or smearing their bodies with ashes.

Hindu holy men from Nepal and India come to Pashupatinath Temple to take part in the Mahashivratri festival.

Security in the Indian capital was beefed up with more police and paramilitary troops assigned to shopping malls, railway stations and other crowded places.

A sadhu smears ashes on his body during the Shivaratri festival at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

A sadhu with a snake wrapped on his neck sits at Pashupatinath Temple during the Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

Hindu devotees stand in queue to offer prayers at a temple on Mahashivratri festival in Jammu. ─ AP

Sadhus sit beside the fire as they chant religious song during the Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

Smoke rises as a devotee sits next to a fire during the Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

A sadhu smeared with ashes smokes marijuana in a chillum during the Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

A sadhu prepares marijuana before smoking it during the Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

Hindu devotees wait in queue to offer prayers at a Shiva temple on Mahashivratri festival in New Delhi. ─ A

 

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A sadhu ties his hair as he stands outside his ashram during the Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

A sadhu poses for a picture with devotees during the Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

A sadhu smears ashes on his face during the Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. ─ Reuters

Three blind men beg for money from devotees waiting to offer prayers at a Shiva temple on Mahashivratri festival in New Delhi. ─ AP

An Indian Hindu woman devotee prays at a temple on Mahashivratri festival in Jammu. ─ AP

Devotees carry pots of sacred water and milk as they stand in queue to offer prayers at a temple on Mahashivratri festival in Jammu. ─ AP

A devotee pours milk over a Shivling (a symbol of Lord Shiva) at a temple during the Mahashivratri festival in Ahmedabad. ─ Reuters

Devotees pour milk over a Shivling (a symbol of Lord Shiva) at a temple during the Mahashivratri festival in Ahmedabad.