Millions of devotees across India are celebrating the Shivaratri festival that honors the Hindu god Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism.

The devotees celebrate the festival in temples by pouring water or milk over the Shiva linga, a stone sculpture symbolic of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. Some also observe a fast during the day and stay up all night, singing and dancing to religious songs.

Maha Shivaratri, celebrated on February 26, 2025, honors Lord Shiva's transformational power. The festival promotes spiritual exploration through fasting, meditation, and extended night prayers. Rituals involve worshipping Shiva with offerings and mantras while devotees seek spiritual advancement and divine protection.