<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Maha Shivaratri is being celebrated in Shiva temples across Sri Lanka on Friday, notably in the Pancha Ishwaram temples. Among the Pancha Ishwaram temples, Munneswaram temple is one which is also the place where Lord Rama had prayed to Lord Shiva. On Maha Shivratri, devotees undertake a fast and pray through the day and night, and pay visits to Munneswaram temple and other Shiva temples to pray on the occasion. The temples are decorated befitting to the occasion. Special arrangements have also been made by the management of the temples across the island to perform Shivratri Pooja.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Sri Lanka has a strong Shaiva tradition and boasts of ancient Pancha Ishwaram temples which are integral to the cultural soul of Sri Lankan Hindus and is an important cultural connection with India. For Sri Lankan Hindus, who constitute 13 percent of the population, the day is considered auspicious.</span></p>