People worshipping Lord Shiva idols
Kanwarias or devotees of Lord Shiva offered prayers at temples in the holy town of Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
Kanwarias from across the country undertake a tedious foot journey to the Hindu pilgrim centres of Gaumukh and Gangotri, apart from Haridwar in the state to fetch holy waters of river Ganges for their village temples.
Shivratri is one of the important days of the pilgrimage when devotees in large numbers visit Shiva temples and make their offerings.
In New Delhi, Kanwarias stood in long queues to offer milk, curd, ghee, honey, holy water and assortment of religious offerings like joss sticks, red vermilion and flowers on Shiva lingam (a representation of Hindu deity Shiva) at Shiva temples.
According to the Hindu calendar, Sawan or Shravan is the fifth holy month and Shravani Fair begins on Shravan Amavasya (no moon day) in the Shravan month and ends on Shravan Purnima (full moon day). Devotees seek the blessing of Lord Shiva for peace and prosperity of their families by taking holy baths and offering prayers.