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The festival of Maha Shivratri is imminent and temples across India are gearing up for the day Hindus celebrate in honor of Lord Shiva.

This year, Maha Shivratri will be celebrated on March 4.

People observe a strict fast, stay awake the whole night, do meditation and offer prayers to Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil. One of the most important rituals is to visit a Shiva temple and make an offering of milk over the Shivaling.

On this day, most Shiva temples are jam-packed with devotees. The liveliness seen in the Shiva temples on the eve of Mahashivratri is extremely high.

If you are looking for the places where you can visit to perform rituals, let us help you out naming five temples in India that worship Lord Shiva ou-and-out devote.

Lokanatha Temple, Odisha

Located in the town of Puri, it is believed that Lord Rama had placed the Shiva lingam in the Lokanatha Temple. Therefore, it was a center of Lord Shiva worship.

ImageSource: Puri Police

The Shivalinga is kept submerged in water and it is not effortlessly seen. Thus scores of devotees line up outside the temple to get at least a glance of the Shivalinga.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh:

Since Varanasi is known for carrying a spiritual vibe throughout, there are scores of temples along the river ghats frequented by devotees of Lord Shiva. Mahashivratri is thus a very big affair at that place. People come together in huge numbers and the celebration sees re-enacting the wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

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The wedding procession goes throughout the city with an outstanding spirit.

Srikalahasti Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Imagesource: TemplePurohit

Located in Srikalahasti of Andhra Pradesh, the temple is one of the most celebrated Shiva temples in South India. The celebration of Maha Shivratri continues for 13 days performing plenty of rituals and traditions. The idols of Shiva and Parvati are adorned with a procession too.

Rishikesh and Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Both Rishikesh and Haridwar witness an abundance of visitors on the day of Maha Shivratri. The land of Yogis sees an elaborate devotion of Lord Shiva even at other times. There are galore temples at that place devoted to him along the ghats.

ImageSource: worldofdevotion.com

Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh are the most important spots to visit for Mahashivratri. The Ganga Aarti held there is one of the most popular tourist attraction and one should by all odds shouldn't miss it.

Mahakaleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Located in Ujjain, the Mahakaleshwar Temple witnesses an outstanding celebration of Maha Shivratri. It is among the 12 Jyortinlings and thus sees a vast number of devotees on the day of the festival.

ImageSource: Oneindia

According to legend, a demon named Dushana was torturing the inhabitants of Avanti area. Lord Shiva appeared from the ground to fight against him. And as the people there requested the Lord to stay, he decided to reside at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.

-Sowmya Sangam