SUMMARY
Devotees thronged temples across India on Mahashivratri, chanting praises to Lord Shiva. Over 1 crore dipped in Prayagraj, and Ayodhya saw 1.5 million pilgrims, marking a fervent celebration.
1 / 8Devotees Pack Temples: On Wednesday, devotees filled temples nationwide to mark Mahashivratri. Tens of thousands gathered to honour Lord Shiva. Chants of “Om Namah Shivay” and “Har Har Mahadev” echoed as people prayed. Many sought blessings during the celebrations. Eyewitnesses reported large crowds at Shiva temples.
2 / 8Chief Minister Leads: In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath guided the festivities. He conducted ‘Rudrabhishek’ at Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur. Priests recited mantras during the ritual. His office confirmed his participation on Wednesday. Adityanath joined devotees in prayer to Lord Shiva. The event reflected the state’s involvement in Mahashivratri.
3 / 8Faith Binds Nation: Adityanath addressed the festival’s significance. He said “lakhs of devotees have reached Prayagraj, Varanasi and other temples across the country”. He added, “this faith is a symbol of India’s unity”. His remarks were shared with journalists in Gorakhpur. He highlighted how devotion connected people.
4 / 8Pilgrims Bathe Prayagraj: In Prayagraj, over one crore pilgrims dipped in Triveni Sangam. This occurred on Mahashivratri, near the Maha Kumbh’s end. The 45-day event was winding down after starting in January. Local authorities verified the crowd size on Wednesday. The dip held spiritual meaning tied to Shiva.
5 / 8Varanasi Hosts March: Varanasi saw an early procession to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. ‘Naga sadhus’ and ‘akharas’ led the march. The temple was decorated with lights and flowers. Sadhus carried tridents, maces, and swords for ‘Jalabhishek’. Temple staff reported the event on Wednesday. Chants of “Har Har Mahadev” filled the air.
6 / 8Temple Manages Rush: Kashi Vishwanath Dham CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra oversaw the arrangements. Barricades guided the crowd, and water stations were provided. The temple handled a surge of visitors. Mishra said darshan ran all night. His team ensured devotee comfort, according to Wednesday’s update. Reports from Varanasi confirmed a steady flow. Lucknow also saw similar queues at Shiva temples.
7 / 8Ayodhya Draws Crowds: Ayodhya welcomed 1.5 million devotees by Tuesday. Numbers rose further on Wednesday for Mahashivratri. People prayed at Shiva temples across the city. The town featured illuminated and decorated temples. Officials tracked the influx, reporting totals on Wednesday. The festival brought a surge to the holy city.
8 / 8Leaders Share Wishes: President Droupadi Murmu sent Mahashivratri greetings. She hoped for national progress, per her office’s statement. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited temples with Education Minister Ashish Sood. She said, “I pray that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati continue to bless everyone”.
