Women devotees line up to perform rituals on the occasion of Mahashivratri, the great night of Shiva at Ranghapahar Shiv Temple, Dimapur, in Nagaland on Friday, 12 February 2010.The festival of Maha Shivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva, the god of creation and destruction, performed the "Tandava" and devotees of Lord Shiva observe fast and keep vigil all night, performing rituals and pour milk over Shiva Linga-a stone sculpture representing the phallus of Shiva.

Photographer: STRINGER

Tags: Maha ShivratriMaha SivaratriShivaratriSivaratriGreat Night of ShivaLord ShivaShankarFestivalHindi GodPhoto Stock