Mahashivratri in Mathura.

In last few years Lord Shiva of Hindu mythology has become most worshipped and most googled god by the youth across the nation and globally.
Lord Shiva tattoos, Rudraksh Garlands and even the Shiva printed t-shirts are in trend.
Though the renowned temples of lord Shiva are Rameshwaram in south, Kedarnath and Amarnath in North, Somnath in west and Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain - central india attracts a big number of domestic pilgrimage tourist but still the temples of lord Shiva are spread all over the country.
The birth place of lord Krishna "MATHURA" locally known as "BRIJ" also tells the stories of SHIVA from Dwapar Yuga (ancient Indian scenerio).
There are 4 temples each situated at a corner of city and this is how lord Shiva temples cover the city from borders.
They are as BHUTESHWAR in North, RANGESHWAR in South, Galteshwar in East and CHINTAHARAN MAHADEV in west.
Local people believe that lord Shiva came to Mathura to see the newly born baby "Krishna" that time he decided to watch over the city from the borders prohibiting negative energies from getting in and that is why the festival of MAHASHIVRATRI is celebrated in Mathura with fanfare.
The main attraction of the city on MAHASHIVARATRI  is the "SHIV BAARAT", the procession of lord Shiva who is father, controller and care taker of all ghosts and spirits.
Devotees decorate their bodies and put on scary costumes and masks that scares the audience and people watching the procession from their terrace.
The procession goes through narrow roads with loud music playing songs of devotion to Shiva and it covers almost 3 km of city walk.
People throw flowers, petals, colours and holy water from terrace, shopkeepers distribute Thandaai (with mixed Bhang) as sacrament.
Once if you drop down in mathura at the time of MAHASHIVARATRI , you need not to worry about your food and meals, local people distribute free meals to every pilgrim and travellers, this distribution of meals as sacrament is known as "BHANDARA" in Hindi language.
Its a kind of good deed to food up the Hungary aching stomachs of domestic pilgrims and low budget tourist.
Local people aslo intake a little amount of cannabis that is also available in different varieties and flavours at the time of MAHASHIVARATRI.
As per the mass tourism concern the police and administration watches over very carefully, every temple is under surveillance of at least 40-50 cops.
Even though their shift changes after 12 hours but the number remains the same.
It with praising that U.P. POLICE does not leaves a single patch in case of public safety and security.
So my personal experience says that Mathura is a place worth visiting even at the time of MAHASHIVARATRI when there is off tourism season, still all the local people, culture and rituals and the administration serves you well from their hearts and gives you thrilling, adventures, party friendly and worth remembering experience.