Every year Mahashivratri is celebrated with great vigor in different parts of India.
Even in Mumbai people wait in serpentine queues for hours on end for a few seconds darshan of Lord Shiva.
Hindus don't eat meat on this day.
Many devotees pour water or milk on the lingam of Lord Shiva.
The festival day is on the 14th night of the new moon in Phalgun month according to the Hindu Calendar.
In Mumbai, the largest queue is found at Babulnath Temple.
It stretches for around 2 km in a snake line fashion with people chanting slogans such as Om Namah Shivay.
There have been many interesting legends related to this day.
The devotees pay their respects to appease Lord Shiva who is known as one of the most powerful Gods in Hindu religion.
According to a popular legend, the day marks the wedding of Lord Shiva with goddess Parvati.
It is believed that the Lord performed a dance called tandava which is a dance of destruction on the auspicious occasion of Shivratri.
Another legend says that I was on this day that Lord Shiva took the form of a lingam.
On Mahashivratri day in Mumbai and other parts of India, many people observe a strict fast.
They don't have any food except milk and fruits.
The worshipers follow all the customs of the festival.
They believe that if they sincerely worship Lord Shiva on this day then all their sins will be washed off.
The Babulnath temple in Mumbai is decorated very well on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri.
There are separate queues for ladies and gents.
Unmarried girls pray that they get a good husband like Shiva while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands.
The Babulnath temple observes a Jaagran which is also called the nightlong vigil.
The pundits sing devotional songs and hymns and they break their fast in the morning after the aarti the night before.
Apart from honey, milk and water, Bael leaves are also offered to Lord Shiva.
People are ready to wait in the long queues which may last for at least 5 hours.
You get darshan of the Lord for just around 15 seconds and then you have to make way for others.
The temple is very lively during the day and night and the whole event is organized extremely well by the organizers.
There are ample of volunteers participating in this event to make it in an organized manner.