European Space Agency's Gaia telescope has unveiled a fascinating revelation about our cosmic home, the Milky Way, identifying two ancient threads of stars named 'Shiva' and 'Shakti'.

These threads began weaving billions of years ago. They eventually merged to form the galaxy.&nbsp;Two 'streams', dubbed Shakti and Shiva, were discovered, and researchers think that these two strands of the Milky Way converged during the galaxy's formation process.

The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy that contains our Solar System, along with billions of other stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial objects. It is one of billions of galaxies in the observable universe.

The Milky Way is named for its appearance as a faint band of light stretching across the night sky, which is caused by the combined light of billions of stars, gas, and dust in the galactic plane. It is estimated to be about 100,000 light-years in diametre and contains hundreds of billions of stars.

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Our Solar System is located in one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way, known as the Orion Arm or Local Spur. Gaia's ability to peek into the past has allowed researchers to uncover more secrets about the Milky Way.

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The Gaia spacecraft, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), is a cornerstone mission for astrometry, the branch of astronomy that deals with the precise measurement of the positions and motions of stars.

Watch | A UK study finds vaping a health risk

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Launched in December 2013, Gaia's primary goal is to create a highly accurate 3D map of the Milky Way galaxy by precisely measuring the positions, distances, motions, and other properties of about one billion stars in our galaxy.

In addition to mapping the Milky Way, Gaia's data has also been used to study a wide range of astronomical phenomena, including the discovery of new exoplanets, the distribution of dark matter in the galaxy, and the dynamics of star clusters and galaxies beyond the Milky Way.

(With inputs from agencies)

European Space Agency's Gaia telescope has unveiled a fascinating revelation about our cosmic home, the Milky Way, identifying two ancient threads of stars named 'Shiva' and 'Shakti'.

European Space Agency's Gaia telescope has unveiled a fascinating revelation about our cosmic home, the Milky Way, identifying two ancient threads of stars named 'Shiva' and 'Shakti'. These threads began weaving billions of years ago. They eventually merged to form the galaxy. Two 'streams', dubbed Shakti and Shiva, were discovered, and researchers think that these two strands of the Milky Way converged during the galaxy's formation process. The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy that contains our Solar System, along with billions of other stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial objects. It is one of billions of galaxies in the observable universe. The Milky Way is named for its appearance as a faint band of light stretching across the night sky, which is caused by the combined light of billions of stars, gas, and dust in the galactic plane. It is estimated to be about 100,000 light-years in diametre and contains hundreds of billions of stars. Also Read | Mistaken for bird poop, newly discovered Australian beetle has a 'Mohawk' hairdo Our Solar System is located in one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way, known as the Orion Arm or Local Spur. Gaia's ability to peek into the past has allowed researchers to uncover more secrets about the Milky Way. Also Read | Can genetically modified cows solve insulin shortages for diabetes patients? Research reveals The Gaia spacecraft, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), is a cornerstone mission for astrometry, the branch of astronomy that deals with the precise measurement of the positions and motions of stars. Watch | A UK study finds vaping a health risk × Launched in December 2013, Gaia's primary goal is to create a highly accurate 3D map of the Milky Way galaxy by precisely measuring the positions, distances, motions, and other properties of about one billion stars in our galaxy. In addition to mapping the Milky Way, Gaia's data has also been used to study a wide range of astronomical phenomena, including the discovery of new exoplanets, the distribution of dark matter in the galaxy, and the dynamics of star clusters and galaxies beyond the Milky Way. (With inputs from agencies)

Telescope discovers ancient star threads 'Shiva' and 'Shakti' weaving Milky way

The breeze blew gently, borrowing the cool from the drizzle and energy from the first rays of the dawn, as chants in the praise of Lord Shiva rent the base camps for Amarnath Yatris who began their journey to the cave shrine nestled at 3,880 metres in the Himalayas.

India: Amarnath Yatra gets 3-layer security, hi-tech surveillance

The Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage to the cave shrine of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva started in Kashmir but was temporarily halted due to bad weather. Post the pandemic, the pilgrimage has seen a record turnout this year. The challenging trek undertaken by thousands each year has strong elements of India-Pakistan politics and security and tourism attached to it. The fact that this is a Hindu pilgrimage in a Muslim-majority region also gives it the aura of a major prestige issue.

Amarnath Yatra - An Iconic Pilgrimage

India's Gangetic plains were once again recently flooded with hordes of saffron-garbed pilgrims known as "kanwariyas," chanting the mantra “Bol Bam” and often high on marijuana, who spared no efforts to please the revered god Shiva on the auspicious Hindu month of Shravan during the peak monsoon season of July-August.

Saffron-clad, dope-using Indian pilgrims flood Ganges' plains to honor Shiva

Devouts in various parts of India took holy dips and thronged temples to offer prayers to the god of destruction, Shiva on the first Monday of the Hindu month of 'Shraavana' on Monday (July 22).

Indian devotees mark arrival of monsoon with holy dips, prayers on auspicious Monday

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods.

With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, fresh from his Mansarovar Yatra, was greeted in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi this week by hundreds of 'bol bam'-chanting party activists, all dressed up as "Kanwariyas", the devotees of Lord Shiva.

The BJP's UP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey's reiterated the saffron party's backing for a Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayopdhya. He said the party is trying to ensure that the temple is built in Ayodhya through consensus.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, has pledged to develop a grand city named after Lord Vishnu, complete with a spectacular temple in it on lines of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, in the state, if voted to power.

Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP won 71 seats, its ally Apna Dal got two, while the SP bagged five and the Congress remaining two.

Fresh from his recent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the Congress chief Monday was presented a portrait of Lord Shiva by Shiva devotees at Fursatganj.

In a video footage that went viral on social media, Gandhi is seen with his forehead smeared with sandalwood paste with a prominent red 'tilak' in the centre. 
 
With a scarf around his neck, he is seen taking part in a 'puja'.

He was greeted with posters hailing 'Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi' on his first visit here after undertaking the arduous 12-day pilgrimage in August to Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.

The Congress chief had announced his intention to undertake the pilgrimage after a mid-air scare when his plane had plunged hundreds of feet down during one of his flights during the Karnataka poll campaign in April.

The pilgrimage was aimed at seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for the country's prosperity, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said earlier.

In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire spectacle is being seen by some as the Congress bid to woo Hindu voters.

UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, meanwhile, said Sunday, "Ram temple is the centre of faith and devotion for us. It should be built as per the law and we are committed to this."

The BJP is making efforts to build the Ram temple through consensus, he had said.

"The people know Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and they want a Ram temple there. The feeling of every Indian is the feeling of the BJP," Pandey had said.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has declared his intent to "develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah)."

"We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple akin to the famous Angkor Wat temple."

Yadav's comments had come in the wake of BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya raking up the Ram temple issue and suggesting a legislative route for it.

Yadav, however, has promised that, if voted to power, he would develop a city after the name of Lord Vishnu, with both Lord Ram and Lord Krishna being his incarnations.

A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist shrine.&nbsp;

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods. With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the key political parties of Uttar Pradesh seem to have chosen their favourite gods. With the BJP apparently sticking to Lord Ram, the Samajwadi Party seems to have chosen Vishnu and the Congress Lord Shiva to spur their poll fortunes, if remarks by their leaders are any indication. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, fresh from his Mansarovar Yatra, was greeted in his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi this week by hundreds of 'bol bam'-chanting party activists, all dressed up as "Kanwariyas", the devotees of Lord Shiva. The BJP's UP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey's reiterated the saffron party's backing for a Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayopdhya. He said the party is trying to ensure that the temple is built in Ayodhya through consensus. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, has pledged to develop a grand city named after Lord Vishnu, complete with a spectacular temple in it on lines of Cambodia's Angkor Wat, in the state, if voted to power. Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP won 71 seats, its ally Apna Dal got two, while the SP bagged five and the Congress remaining two. Fresh from his recent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the Congress chief Monday was presented a portrait of Lord Shiva by Shiva devotees at Fursatganj. In a video footage that went viral on social media, Gandhi is seen with his forehead smeared with sandalwood paste with a prominent red 'tilak' in the centre. With a scarf around his neck, he is seen taking part in a 'puja'. He was greeted with posters hailing 'Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi' on his first visit here after undertaking the arduous 12-day pilgrimage in August to Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. The Congress chief had announced his intention to undertake the pilgrimage after a mid-air scare when his plane had plunged hundreds of feet down during one of his flights during the Karnataka poll campaign in April. The pilgrimage was aimed at seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva for the country's prosperity, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said earlier. In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire spectacle is being seen by some as the Congress bid to woo Hindu voters. UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, meanwhile, said Sunday, "Ram temple is the centre of faith and devotion for us. It should be built as per the law and we are committed to this." The BJP is making efforts to build the Ram temple through consensus, he had said. "The people know Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and they want a Ram temple there. The feeling of every Indian is the feeling of the BJP," Pandey had said. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has declared his intent to "develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah)." "We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple akin to the famous Angkor Wat temple." Yadav's comments had come in the wake of BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya raking up the Ram temple issue and suggesting a legislative route for it. Yadav, however, has promised that, if voted to power, he would develop a city after the name of Lord Vishnu, with both Lord Ram and Lord Krishna being his incarnations. A team of experts will be sent to Cambodia to plan the city, which will be a centre for culture and knowledge of our ancient times, the SP chief said. Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the largest religious monuments in the world which was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu but gradually transformed into a Buddhist shrine.

As BJP sticks to Ram, SP picks Vishnu, Congress Shiva for luck in 2019 polls

As Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap is set to tie the knot with Aishwarya Rai, daughter of RJD leader Chandrika Rai on Saturday, a poster of the couple, portrayed as God and Goddess, has emerged in Patna.

The poster, which has been put up outside the residence of Lalu, depicts to-be groom Tej Pratap as Lord Shiva and to-be bride Aishwarya as Goddess Parvati.

On April 18, Tej Pratap got engaged to Aishwarya at a posh hotel in Patna. Mehndi ceremony was held on May 9.

Lalu Prasad, who is serving jail sentence after being convicted in multiple fodder scam cases, is on three-day parole to attend his elder son`s marriage.

The high-profile marriage of Lalu`s son has already garnered media`s attention.

The poster, which has been put up outside the residence of Lalu, depicts to-be groom Tej Pratap as Lord Shiva and to-be bride Aishwarya as Goddess Parvati

As Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap is set to tie the knot with Aishwarya Rai, daughter of RJD leader Chandrika Rai on Saturday, a poster of the couple, portrayed as God and Goddess, has emerged in Patna. The poster, which has been put up outside the residence of Lalu, depicts to-be groom Tej Pratap as Lord Shiva and to-be bride Aishwarya as Goddess Parvati. On April 18, Tej Pratap got engaged to Aishwarya at a posh hotel in Patna. Mehndi ceremony was held on May 9. Lalu Prasad, who is serving jail sentence after being convicted in multiple fodder scam cases, is on three-day parole to attend his elder son`s marriage. The high-profile marriage of Lalu`s son has already garnered media`s attention.

Poster depicts Lalu's son as 'Shiva, daughter-in-law as 'Parvati'

Apparently, there is a contradiction in me. I see myself as a modern girl but continue to believe in ancient and time-worn rituals that do not exactly fall within the bounds of logic.

&nbsp;

I love the ganja-smoking, shabbily-dressed, tempestuous Lord Shiva.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I celebrate Shiva-ratri religiously with my mother. Yet, I understand some of the not so progressive facets of the ritual.

&nbsp;

Then, why do I celebrate it every year? Not out of compulsion but from a greater urger. Let me explain.

&nbsp;

I grew up in a small city where customs and traditions are taken very seriously and even my family have faith in such beliefs.

&nbsp;

I strongly believe that people follow these traditions either if they are extremely blessed or they have faced multiple ordeals in life, in most of the Indian families the latter case persists.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Not knowing how to cope with travails of life, we chase sadhu baba, pandits and Maulvi to resolve our issues and end up falling into the trap of a lucrative manipulative business. A business that consistently makes use of ancient beliefs and people&#39;s faith.

&nbsp;

But the case is not same with Shiv, worshipping Shiv is not expensive. It is said that Lord Shiva is a deity who gets easily impressed. One does not need to have elaborate functions or follow meticulous rituals to please him; all you need to offer is Vibhuti Or Holy Ash, Akanda flowers, Bhaang, Dhatura Fruit, turmeric, Bilva leaf or Belpatra.

&nbsp;

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Bhaang, Akanda Flowers, Bilva leaf or Belpatra. (Others)
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Customarily, unmarried girls pray to Shiv to get a &#39;good&#39; husband, I mean quite an idea. Even matrimonial sites don&#39;t have such advance filter that can categorise the prospective grooms as a good or bad husband. But Shiv, being at the centre of the universe, can definitely do it.

&nbsp;

Not only unmarried girls, married women worship him to have a son. I surmise which God blesses a couple with a girl? A girl is always unwanted in this country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Lord Shiva is the only deity who resides on Earth, in Mount Kailash which is situated in the Himalayas. Kailash is supposed to be the greatest mystical library on the planet. It is believed that Shiv himself conserved everything he knew in Kailash.

&nbsp;

Shiv is fond of milk and milk products, thus, during the Rudraabhishekha that happens during the Shivratri, devotees pour milk, curd, honey, sugarcane juice and Ganga jal over the Shivlingam.

&nbsp;

From the naive Bholenath to the fearsome Kalabhairava, from the beautiful Somasundara to the terrible Aghora, from dancing God Natraj to mysterious Adiyogi, Lord Shiv is worshipped in many forms.

&nbsp;

As Indians celebrate Shivratri today, I remember my first fasting for Shivratri when I accidentally ate some namkeen mixture but still continued the &#39;vrat.&#39; My mother told me to wear a yellow colour dress and get up early as we were supposed to go to the temple to worship Shiv.

&nbsp;

To be very honest I was keeping the fast only to eat whatever my mother is cooking for herself. Sago tehri, potato chips, roasted peanuts, banana chips, lauki barfi, pumpkin kheer, sweet potato kheer, and lot more. Wow, I am drooling now.

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Sago tehri and sweet potato kheer. (Others)
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I was too young to understand the importance of these days beyond food, be it Navratri or Janmashtami or any other festival, my focus used to be only on food, but now things have changed a bit.

&nbsp;

Unlike many of us, I was not an accidental child, my father, a huge Shiv believer, wanted the third child and when I was born he named me after Shiva, Shiva is one of the thousands of names of Parvati.

&nbsp;

Shiv is Lord Shiv and Shiva is Parvati, I have seen people using these words interchangeably but it is entirely different.

&nbsp;

My father&#39;s eternal rest educated me with the fact that death is the ultimate truth of life, we are all flowing towards death. Now, it depends on us how we will attain it.

&nbsp;

Shiv, the first Yogi, has the gravitational power that attracts the living. To him goes the life, he is the one who creates the life. He is the centre of life and death.

&nbsp;

When I realised that, I somehow became a Shiv follower. I have a strong belief that I will, one day, connect to Shiv and my departed loved ones.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shiva, the first Yogi, has the gravitational power that attracts the living. To him goes the life, he is the one who creates the life. He is the centre of life and death.

Apparently, there is a contradiction in me. I see myself as a modern girl but continue to believe in ancient and time-worn rituals that do not exactly fall within the bounds of logic. I love the ganja-smoking, shabbily-dressed, tempestuous Lord Shiva. I celebrate Shiva-ratri religiously with my mother. Yet, I understand some of the not so progressive facets of the ritual. Then, why do I celebrate it every year? Not out of compulsion but from a greater urger. Let me explain. I grew up in a small city where customs and traditions are taken very seriously and even my family have faith in such beliefs. I strongly believe that people follow these traditions either if they are extremely blessed or they have faced multiple ordeals in life, in most of the Indian families the latter case persists. Not knowing how to cope with travails of life, we chase sadhu baba, pandits and Maulvi to resolve our issues and end up falling into the trap of a lucrative manipulative business. A business that consistently makes use of ancient beliefs and people's faith. But the case is not same with Shiv, worshipping Shiv is not expensive. It is said that Lord Shiva is a deity who gets easily impressed. One does not need to have elaborate functions or follow meticulous rituals to please him; all you need to offer is Vibhuti Or Holy Ash, Akanda flowers, Bhaang, Dhatura Fruit, turmeric, Bilva leaf or Belpatra. Bhaang, Akanda Flowers, Bilva leaf or Belpatra. (Others) × Customarily, unmarried girls pray to Shiv to get a 'good' husband, I mean quite an idea. Even matrimonial sites don't have such advance filter that can categorise the prospective grooms as a good or bad husband. But Shiv, being at the centre of the universe, can definitely do it. Not only unmarried girls, married women worship him to have a son. I surmise which God blesses a couple with a girl? A girl is always unwanted in this country. Lord Shiva is the only deity who resides on Earth, in Mount Kailash which is situated in the Himalayas. Kailash is supposed to be the greatest mystical library on the planet. It is believed that Shiv himself conserved everything he knew in Kailash. Shiv is fond of milk and milk products, thus, during the Rudraabhishekha that happens during the Shivratri, devotees pour milk, curd, honey, sugarcane juice and Ganga jal over the Shivlingam. From the naive Bholenath to the fearsome Kalabhairava, from the beautiful Somasundara to the terrible Aghora, from dancing God Natraj to mysterious Adiyogi, Lord Shiv is worshipped in many forms. As Indians celebrate Shivratri today, I remember my first fasting for Shivratri when I accidentally ate some namkeen mixture but still continued the 'vrat.' My mother told me to wear a yellow colour dress and get up early as we were supposed to go to the temple to worship Shiv. To be very honest I was keeping the fast only to eat whatever my mother is cooking for herself. Sago tehri, potato chips, roasted peanuts, banana chips, lauki barfi, pumpkin kheer, sweet potato kheer, and lot more. Wow, I am drooling now. Sago tehri and sweet potato kheer. (Others) × I was too young to understand the importance of these days beyond food, be it Navratri or Janmashtami or any other festival, my focus used to be only on food, but now things have changed a bit. Unlike many of us, I was not an accidental child, my father, a huge Shiv believer, wanted the third child and when I was born he named me after Shiva, Shiva is one of the thousands of names of Parvati. Shiv is Lord Shiv and Shiva is Parvati, I have seen people using these words interchangeably but it is entirely different. My father's eternal rest educated me with the fact that death is the ultimate truth of life, we are all flowing towards death. Now, it depends on us how we will attain it. Shiv, the first Yogi, has the gravitational power that attracts the living. To him goes the life, he is the one who creates the life. He is the centre of life and death. When I realised that, I somehow became a Shiv follower. I have a strong belief that I will, one day, connect to Shiv and my departed loved ones. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why I love Shiv and celebrate Shivratri

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Maha Shivratri which is being celebrated across the country. Naidu took to Twitter and in a series of tweet said, &quot;Dear Sisters and brothers across the world, I convey my greetings to devotees all over the world who are celebrating the Mahashivaratri Festival. This is an occasion to pray, to meditate and derive renewed energy to do good #MahaShivaratri&quot; (sic).

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Dear Sisters and brothers across the world, 
I convey my greetings to devotees all over the world who are celebrating the Mahashivaratri Festival. 
This is an occasion to pray, to meditate and derive renewed energy to do good. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahaShivaratri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahaShivaratri</a> <a href="https://t.co/MUfYkSAVke">pic.twitter.com/MUfYkSAVke</a>
&mdash; VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) <a href="https://twitter.com/VPSecretariat/status/963230458711392256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The annual festival marks the mythical wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is considered one of the holiest festival by the Hindu community.

&quot;Let us pray that our lives are continuously lit with good cheer, health, thoughts and actions. As the Vedic rishis have said - &quot;Tanme Manah Shiva Sankalpamastu&quot; (Let my mind be filled with beautiful and good thoughts). My Prayerful salutations to Lord Shiva &quot;Om Namah Shivaya&quot; (sic),&quot; Naidu said in his subsequent tweet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned on Monday after his West Asia trip, also greeted the nation on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. &quot;Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri,&quot; PM Modi said on Twitter.

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महाशिवरात्रि के पावन पर्व की सभी देशवासियों को ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। 
 
Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/963247772030947328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

US Ambassador to Nepal, Alaina B Teplitz, also took to Twitter and shared her wishes on the festival saying, &quot;Happy Mahashivaratri #Nepal, a festival focused on overcoming darkness and ignorance! Love seeing the photos from this lively and colorful festival!&quot; (sic)

Earlier in the day, devotees thronged Mumbai&#39;s Babulnath temple on the auspicious occasion. Many devotees also performed special prayers at Bhimashankar temple near Pune.

Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh devotees took a holy dip in Mahanadi river at &#39;Rajim Kumbh&#39; in Rajim.

On this day, devotees worship and offer sacrifices to Shivalingam as part of their prayers to the god. Devotees on this special day observe fast and chant shlokas. They offer milk, water, bel leaves and fruits to the Shivalingam.

The annual festival marks the mythical wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is considered one of the holiest festival by the Hindu community.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Maha Shivratri which is being celebrated across the country. Naidu took to Twitter and in a series of tweet said, "Dear Sisters and brothers across the world, I convey my greetings to devotees all over the world who are celebrating the Mahashivaratri Festival. This is an occasion to pray, to meditate and derive renewed energy to do good #MahaShivaratri" (sic). Dear Sisters and brothers across the world, I convey my greetings to devotees all over the world who are celebrating the Mahashivaratri Festival. This is an occasion to pray, to meditate and derive renewed energy to do good. #MahaShivaratri pic.twitter.com/MUfYkSAVke — VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) February 13, 2018 × The annual festival marks the mythical wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is considered one of the holiest festival by the Hindu community. "Let us pray that our lives are continuously lit with good cheer, health, thoughts and actions. As the Vedic rishis have said - "Tanme Manah Shiva Sankalpamastu" (Let my mind be filled with beautiful and good thoughts). My Prayerful salutations to Lord Shiva "Om Namah Shivaya" (sic)," Naidu said in his subsequent tweet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned on Monday after his West Asia trip, also greeted the nation on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. "Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri," PM Modi said on Twitter. महाशिवरात्रि के पावन पर्व की सभी देशवासियों को ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2018 × US Ambassador to Nepal, Alaina B Teplitz, also took to Twitter and shared her wishes on the festival saying, "Happy Mahashivaratri #Nepal, a festival focused on overcoming darkness and ignorance! Love seeing the photos from this lively and colorful festival!" (sic) Earlier in the day, devotees thronged Mumbai's Babulnath temple on the auspicious occasion. Many devotees also performed special prayers at Bhimashankar temple near Pune. Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh devotees took a holy dip in Mahanadi river at 'Rajim Kumbh' in Rajim. On this day, devotees worship and offer sacrifices to Shivalingam as part of their prayers to the god. Devotees on this special day observe fast and chant shlokas. They offer milk, water, bel leaves and fruits to the Shivalingam.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, PM Modi greet the nation on Maha Shivratri

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