India, Feb. 15 -- Maha Shivratri, the 'night of union' celebrates the celestial marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, a moment where love transcends the earthly and becomes eternal. On this auspicious occasion, we revisit the stories of couples who chose to marry at places which are believed to hold the sacred energies of Shiva and Shakti. Drawn by their spiritual resonance, these spaces offer not just a setting, but a deeper, more intentional beginning to married life. Among the most sacred is the Triyuginarayan Temple in Uttarakhand, believed to be the exact site where Shiva and Parvati were married. At its heart burns the Akhand Dhuni, an eternal flame said to have witnessed their vows, a flame before which couples continue to marry. Another spiritual destination gaining prominence is the Linga Bhairavi Temple in Coimbatore. Consecrated by spiritual leader Sadhguru at the Isha Yoga Center (Velliangiri Foothills), it's a powerful, feminine energy form designed to support physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The temples offer ceremonies rooted in inner transformation, drawing in couples from across the country. The shift reflects a larger change in how young couples approach marriage, drawing from a longing for meaning and authenticity. "During peak season, there are days when more than 20 couples line up to get married at Triyuginarayan. This number has grown significantly over the past two years," says Rahul Rajput, a local wedding planner who is receiving more than 15 queries every month. "We witness weddings every day, and the number is only growing. Not only are new couples getting married, but many also return to Linga Bhairavi Temple in Coimbatore to renew their vows here on their anniversaries," says Richa Taneja, Media Volunteer, Isha Foundation. The process is simple yet rooted in tradition. Couples register with the temple for Rs.1,100, and ceremonies are conducted exclusively by its priests. "You cannot bring your own pandit. The dakshina after the ceremony is Rs.30,000," Rahul explains. Most weddings take place between November and April. For Sudarshan Garola, a fifth-generation priest, the growing interest reflects a deeper spiritual pull. "As awareness of Shiva and Parvati's marriage here spreads among younger generations, more couples are choosing this temple to solemnise their vows," he says. Despite its rising popularity, the temple remains intimate. With three designated wedding spaces, only a handful of couples marry at a time. "While people spend crores elsewhere, here a beautiful, intimate wedding for 15 guests can be arranged within Rs.50,000." Rahul adds. The trend is also supporting the local economy beyond pilgrimage tourism. Beyond weddings, couples are choosing these destinations to renew their vows as well. "Due to personal challenges, I couldn't plan a temple wedding when I was getting married. However, for our fifth anniversary this December, my husband and I have planned to renew our vows at the temple," says Aanchal Chawla, a Pune-based HR professional. Jyotshna Senapati from Mumbai chose a ceremony centred on inner alignment at the temple in Coimbatore. "We wanted a meaningful ceremony. As the mantras flowed and offerings were made to the fire, I felt a gentle cleansing of old emotions. It felt inward and transformative." Matthew Leuver from Australia, who married Ankita at the temple last year, recalls a similar calling. "While volunteering at the Isha Yoga Center, I witnessed weddings here. There was a purity and energy that stayed with me. When I chose to get married, I knew it had to be in this sacred space."...