Ujjain, February 15: As the Indian cricket team prepares to face Pakistan in today's much-anticipated T20 World Cup match, a significant number of cricket enthusiasts gathered at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Sunday to offer prayers for India's success. Devotees expressed their excitement, noting that the India-Pakistan clash coinciding with the sacred occasion of Mahashivratri made the moment even more special.

One devotee shared with ANI, "Today is not only Mahashivratri, but we also have the India-Pakistan match. Here at Mahakaleshwar, we are all praying for India's victory." The intense rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket is legendary, with the match drawing global attention and a massive following each time the two nations face off in ICC tournaments.

The highly anticipated match is set to take place today at 7 PM at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Fans across the country are hoping for a victory as the national team takes on its traditional rivals.

Mahashivratri, celebrated with devotion and fervor across India, commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees fast, offer prayers, and participate in night-long vigils to seek blessings from the deities. According to Hindu mythology, during their wedding, Lord Shiva was escorted by a group of gods, goddesses, animals, and demons to Goddess Parvati's house, symbolizing love, power, and unity. The festival is a celebration of this sacred bond between Shiva and Shakti.

In addition to the festivities at Mahakaleshwar Temple, Union Minister Nityanand Rai also prayed at the Pataleshwar Temple in Hajipur on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Devotees across India gathered in large numbers, with the Sangam ghats in Prayagraj seeing an influx of pilgrims for the Mahashivratri snan during the Magh Mela. To ensure safety, the administration has implemented strict security measures, with Uttar Pradesh ATS mobile patrol squads actively monitoring the event as pilgrims continue to arrive for the holy dip.

As the country celebrates this auspicious day, the excitement for both the spiritual occasion and the cricket clash with Pakistan is palpable.