By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Thousands of devotees Thursday fasted and thronged temples dedicated to Hindu god Shiva across Orissa on the occasion of Shivratri.
Security was tightened at the 11th century Lingaraj temple here as about 15,000 people visited the shrine early morning and many more were expected by the end of the day, a police official told IANS.
“The crowds will increase by night time as many people observe a fast on this day and stay in the temples through the night to offer prayers to Shiva,” he added.
More than 10,000 people visited the Loknath temple in Puri, about 56 km from here, sources said.
A large number of people are said to have offered prayers at temples in Huma in the western district of Sambalpur and Vedvyas in Sundergarh district.
As per the Hindu calendar, Shivratri is celebrated a day or two before the new moon in the month of Phalgun (February-March).
According to Hindu mythology, Shiva, one of the holy trinity along with Vishnu and Brahma, married Parvati on this day.
Devotees keep daylong fasts and offer prayers at Shiva temples. Hymns in praise of Shiva are chanted throughout the night.
Many unmarried girls fast and pray on this occasion in the belief that it helps them get good husbands.