PHOTOS: The Great Night Of Shiva, The Lord Of Destruction

KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, prays inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Close to one million devotees from different countries attended the Maha Shivaratri festival at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival held every year to revere the god Shiva and is considered one of the most important festivals in Hindu holy scriptures. Devotees of Shiva fast overnight and give offerings to the god in return for heavenly blessings. Although cannabis is illegal in Nepal, the authorities permit its consumption by Shadus, or holy persons, inside temple premises during the festival as a form of religious ritual, an imitation of a legend during which Shiva smoked cannabis as he came to the forests near the temple. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images) (Photo: )

Maha Shivaratri (also Shivratri) is celebrated on February 17, 2015, by Hindus all over the world. This festival glorifies the Hindu god Shiva, believed to be the lord of cosmic destruction and dance. The festival is celebrated on the 14th night of the new moon during the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna.

The celebration of Maha Shivaratri begins with a night vigil leading up to the day of the festival during which many Shiva devotees fast and offer special prayers. Shiva is worshiped in the form of a lingam, a vertical, rounded column, representing the male creative force and the infinite, indescribable nature of God, and the yoni which represents female creative energy. Together they represent the union of organs, and the totality of creation.

Flowers, incense and other offerings are made, while prayers and bhajans are chanted. Bhang, an intoxicant made from the cannabis plant is consumed by many on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

The celebration of Maha Shivaratri is attributed to several tales in Hindu mythology. One of the most popular tales traces its origins to samudra manthan, or churning of the ocean of milk. According to this belief, when the gods and demons were churning the ocean of milk to obtain amrita (drink of immortality), they came across many unusual substances including a deadly poison. Terrified, the gods approached Shiva for help, and out of compassion for all living beings, Shiva swallowed the poison. The poison was so potent that it turned his neck to blue.

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One of the most famous prayers recited to lord Shiva on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, also known as the death-conquering mantra. Below are the words of the mantra in Sanskrit and a translation:

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

Translation: We meditate on the Three-eyed reality which permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance. May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality, even as a cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper.

Click through the slideshow to listen to famous prayers dedicated to lord Shiva -- Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Om Namaha Shivaya and Shiva Tandav Stotram. Lyrics and translation are provided.

A Hindu holy man walks amid a sea of devotees at the Pashupatinath temple during Shivratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
A Hindu holy man walks amid a sea of devotees at the Pashupatinath temple during Shivratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
A Hindu woman devotee lights earthen lamps as she prays at the Aap Shambhu Lord Shiva temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Jammu, India, Tuesday, Feb.17, 2015.
A Hindu woman devotee lights earthen lamps as she prays at the Aap Shambhu Lord Shiva temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Jammu, India, Tuesday, Feb.17, 2015.
Hindu devotees wait their turn to offer prayers at the Aap Shambhu Lord Shiva temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Jammu, India, Tuesday, Feb.17, 2015.
Hindu devotees wait their turn to offer prayers at the Aap Shambhu Lord Shiva temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Jammu, India, Tuesday, Feb.17, 2015.
A Hindu holy man smokes marijuana at the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
A Hindu holy man smokes marijuana at the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
A holy man dressed as Hindu monkey god Hanuman, dances as devotees chant religious hymns in the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
A holy man dressed as Hindu monkey god Hanuman, dances as devotees chant religious hymns in the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
Devotees pour milk on a Shivling, an idol symbolic of Hindu god Shiva, at a temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
Devotees pour milk on a Shivling, an idol symbolic of Hindu god Shiva, at a temple during "Shivaratri" festival in Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A group of Hindu devotees queue to enter Pashupatinath temple for the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A group of Hindu devotees queue to enter Pashupatinath temple for the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  Devotees pray in front of the Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: Devotees pray in front of the Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, poses for visitors inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, poses for visitors inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  Devotees watch a dance inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: Devotees watch a dance inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, plays with his beard inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, plays with his beard inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, smokes cannabis with a chillum inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, smokes cannabis with a chillum inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, greets other holy men inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, greets other holy men inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, passes a chillum filled with cannabis to another holy man inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, passes a chillum filled with cannabis to another holy man inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, sits inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, sits inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, applies paint to his face inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, applies paint to his face inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, wraps his hair in a bun inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, wraps his hair in a bun inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, sits inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, sits inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17:  A Shadu, or holy man, smokes cannabis with a chillum inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL - FEBRUARY 17: A Shadu, or holy man, smokes cannabis with a chillum inside Pashupatinath temple during the celebration of the Maha Shivaratri festival on February 17, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.