World celebrates Maha Sivaratri with chants of 'Bam Bam Bholey'

Celebration in various countries

Shivaratri celebration in India

India is the birthplace of Lord Shiva so it hosts some of the best Shivratri celebrations across the states. 12 Jyotirlingas or holy shrines in India are decked up in a grand fashion.  A wedding like a procession, where people dress up as various Gods and Goddesses is seen in Varanasi.

Shivaratri celebration in Bangladesh

Hindu devotees residing in Bangladeshi get together to celebrate Maha Shivaratri. Major celebration takes place in Chandranath Dham in Chittagong at Chandrashekhar temple.

According to the Hindu scriptures, Chandranath Dham is one of the famous  Shakti Peeth,  place where an incarnation of Parvati fell to Earth.

With a belief that performing pujas on this day helps young girls get a good spouse, makes this festival popular.

Shivaratri celebration in Mauritius

Shivaratri is celebrated with grandeur in Mauritius. Thousands of devotees gather at the sacred lake named Ganga Talao.

Celebration and preparation start a week ago. People from all walks of life follow a strict vegetarian diet and on the day of Shivratri ( today) they start their journey to the lake.  Most of the devotees are seen wearing a white dress that signifies purity.

 After offering prayer at the holy lake, devotees collect water from the lake and carry it back home.  This follows overnight rituals and prayers.

Shivaratri celebration in Nepal

This is one of the Hindu majority countries. The Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu is decked-up for Shivratri and devotees from Nepal and other countries come here to offer prayers.

It is believed that the 12 Jyotirlinga in India forms a body, with the Pashupatinath linga as the head. This is counted among Shiva’s 275 holy abodes.