?A man's face is painted with picture of Lord Shiva during the Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 13, 2018. Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma)
KATHMANDU, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri was celebrated in Nepal on Tuesday with devotees offering prayers to lord Shiva, who is regarded as the God of immense power and destruction.
Shivaratri is celebrated annually in devotion of lord Shiva on a new moon day in the Nepali lunar month of Falgun.
Devotees from across Nepal and other countries like India, Malaysia and Singapore gathered in the holy shrine Pashupatinath in Kathmandu for the special prayers this year.
On this day, devotees offer milk and flowers, especially "Dhaturo" (an intoxicating plant) and green leaves named "Belpatra" to Lord Shiva and light the oil lamps.
People also observe fast and meditate while lighting bonfires during night and perform prayers.
"Shiva is the supreme power, both creator and destroyer. I am observing fast today on his name to receive his blessings for family," a Hindu devotee told Xinhua at the Pashupatinath temple premise.
