Mahashivratri

An Indian man carries artists on his motorbike as another takes a photograph with his mobile phone during a procession on the eve of Shivratri festival, in Jammu, India, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Shivratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Hindu God Shiva, will be marked across the country Wednesday. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Hindu devotees dressed as demons participate in a procession on the eve of Shivratri festival, in Jammu, India, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Shivratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Hindu God Shiva, will be marked across the country Wednesday. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

A Hindu devotee dressed as a demon participates in a procession on the eve of Shivratri festival, in Jammu, India, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Shivratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Hindu God Shiva, will be marked across the country Wednesday. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Hindu devotees dressed as demons dance during a procession on the eve of Shivratri festival, in Jammu, India, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Shivratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Hindu God Shiva, will be marked across the country Wednesday. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Hindu devotees dressed as various deities participate in a procession on the eve of Shivratri festival, in Jammu, India, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Shivratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Hindu God Shiva, will be marked across the country Wednesday. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

A child dressed as Hindu God Shiva participates in a procession on the eve of Shivratri festival, in Jammu, India, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Shivratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Hindu God Shiva, will be marked across the country Wednesday. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Mahashivaratri is celebrated with gusto by the Hindus all over India. It is an important day for the followers of Lord Shiva, as it honors their favorite deity. The celebrations are marked by fasting and the observance of a number of rituals.

Pilgrims take water home with them and later pour over the Linga or sacred symbolic sculpture of Lord Shiva found at the center of the sanctuary of their local temple.

Sadhu lighting a chillum with hashish on Maha Shivaratri festival, India.