Like other parts of the country, the Maha Shivratri festival is being celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety across the Jammu region. <br />''<br />''Thousands of devotees paid obeisance to Lord Shiva at Peer Kho based Jamwant Cave Shrine in Jammu. Temple complexes at Aap Shambu in Reasi district, Utterbehni and Purmandal in Samba district were also illuminated on the occasion to give these shrines a festive look. <br />''<br />''AIR Correspondent reports, Maha Shivratri, which is also known as Herath in Kashmir is an annual festival and amongst the most auspicious days for the believers of the faith. For Kashmiri Pandits, the day is considered as the most auspicious and among festivals the largest, even above Diwali. <br />''<br />''<br />''On the occasion, thousands of devotees from various parts of the region thronged temples to pay obeisance. The temples are decorated befitting to the occasion to facilitate the devotees. Special arrangements were made by the temple management to perform Shivratri Poojan. <br />''<br />''<br />''The devotees are offering prayers to Lord Shiva and his family members, Mata Parvati, sons Kartikay and Ganesha. Reports also reaching that Shivratri is also being celebrated in different districts of the Jammu region. The temple's management and social organizations made elaborate arrangements for free langer for the whole day for the devotees. However, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Avny Lavasa yesterday inaugurated 4 days long Maha Shivratri Festival 2023 at Peer Kho, Jammu. <br />''<br />''The Tourism Department along with District Administration, Jammu and Peer Kho Mandir Committee has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival. The festival will host a variety of programmes which inter alia include cultural events depicting local folk dances by artists of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Local food stalls, Stalls of Government Departments including that of Handicraft/Handloom Department, JKTDC etc. <br />