New Delhi/ Haridwar/ Allahabad, Feb 17 (ANI): Thousands of devout Hindus thronged temples and congregated at the banks of holy rivers across India to celebrate festival of 'Mahashivaratri', better known as Lord Shiva's wedding anniversary, with religious fervour on Tuesday. The Hindu festival of Mahashivaratri is celebrated every year, as devotees offer golden apple, fruits, milk and observe fast in reverence of Lord Shiva. The magnificently decorated 'Gauri Shankar temple' in New Delhi witnessed crowd of devotees, as they flocked in large numbers to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The temples in Uttar Pradesh immersed into devotional spirit with devotees offering prayer and lighting 'diyas' or earthen lamps to mark the festivity of Mahashivaratri. The pilgrims and devotees chant holy words--"Bol Bum" and "Har Har Mahadev"-- in praise of Lord Shiva, as they took holy dip at the river bank. Devotees also thronged temples in Allahabad city of Uttar Pradesh with assortment of religious offerings like 'belpatra' (aegle marmelos leaf) flowers, honey and milk on the 'Shiva Lingam' (a representation of Hindu deity Shiva) while others made sculpture of lingam with sand at the river bank.