On Friday 24th February, many Hindus got together to celebrate Shivatri. It is a very important festival in this culture. It is a festival of convergence between the two holy figures Shiva and Shakti. Both North Indians and South Indians celebrate this festival on the same day. The day it is on is decided by the lunar calendar, not unlike other festivals such as Chinese New Year. 
In the temple, you can see many people gathered to worship. People went into a room to take shoes off, before paying to buy a basket of fruit. They then enter a crowded room of many people. Here, they have tall statues of Gods and who they worship. Many people are praying. It is extremely crowded and loud since everyone wants to take part.
Food is also given out at the end. There is a long line of waiters, when they reach the front they are given a bowl and different types of indian cuisine, such as sweet rice and types of beans and seasoning. People sit on chairs and eat together. This is an important practice in this culture as everyone can worship and celebrate together and know they are not alone in their religion. They can have a good time while also making friends and meeting up with old one ones. They are reminded of what this religion means to them in the first place. I think this is a good idea and when I went I found it extremely fun.
 by Ishita Swaroop  Newstead Wood