Varanasi: Kashi, the permanent abode of Lord Shiva, celebrated the wedding ceremony of its presiding deity with religious fervor and traditional gaiety on the occasion of Mahashivratri festival on Friday.
While the general devotees thronged Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which enshrines one of the ‘Dwadash Jyotirlingas’, and other Shiva temples in the city, the staunch Shiv Bhaktas joined the baraat of their beloved Baba.
Long queues of devotees were seen at almost all temples echoing Har Har Mahadev, and the roads leading to the temples remained crowded throughout the day. The colourful baraat from Tilbhandeshwar temple and Shiv Shobha Yatra of Kesharwani Vaishy Samaj drew huge crowds of devotees.
Besides, people could also be seen preparing bhang as a prasad of Lord Shiva. For Banarais, Mahashivratri is incomplete if they do not get this special prasad of Lord Shiva in different forms like thandai, burfi and mixed in other sweets. Even those who normally refrain from intoxicants, willingly accept it as prasad during Mahashivratri festival.
