Lakhs offer prayers at Shiva temples in Jharkhand

Ranchi: Lakhs of devotees offered prayers at different Shiva temples across Jharkhand on Mahashivratri on Monday.

More than one lakh people offered prayers at the famous Shiva temple in Deoghar district, which is one of the 12 'jyotirlingas' in the country. The second largest gathering of devotees was witnessed at Baba Basukinath temple, also in Deoghar. 

In Ranchi, devotees thronged to the local Shiv temples since early morning to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. Long queues of devotees were witnessed at the Pahari Mandir and other prominent temples in the city. 

In the evening, a Shiv 'baraat' (wedding procession) was also taken out in the state capital from the Pahari temple, which passed through prominent spots and lanes. 

A large number of women and children danced all the way to popular religious songs during the religious procession.