<span style="color: #222222;">In Sri Lanka, Maha Shivaratri is being celebrated in the island nation as devotees undertake a fast and pray through the day and night. For Sri Lankan Hindus, who constitute 13 percent of the population, the day is considered auspicious. 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.<br />''<br />''Devotees are expected to visit temples in big numbers to pray on the occasion.  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.</span><br />