Devotees take holy dip on the occasion of 'Magh Purnima'

Varanasi/ Allahabad, Feb 21 : Scores of devotes took a dip n the holy waters of River Ganges here today on the occasion of Magh Purnima'.

This is the fifth and last holy dip that devotees undertake uring the month ofMagh' to wash their sins.

"According to the Hindu traditions, taking a holy dip on the last ay of this 'Magh' month is considered auspicious. The holy dip ashes off all the sins," said Sunita, a devotee. The day coincided with the partial lunar eclipse.

The eclipse was visible in the country only partially in some arts during the early hours of the morning around 6.05 a.m. when he moon enters penumbra phase.

The eclipse lasting for 51 minutes ended at 11.47 a.m.

Devotees swarmed at the Ganges River to take a dip on the ccasion of the eclipse.

Hindus believe a dip in the holy waters after the eclipse saves ne from the wrath of evil forces and washes away the 'pollution' aused by the eclipse.

In Allahabad also, devotees thronged the river to take a holy ip.

"It is the day of lunar eclipse today and any bad omen is washed way by taking the holy dip in River Ganga," said Ram Behari ishra, a priest.

Temples are generally closed during the day in view of the clipse, which is considered inauspicious.

According to officials, the next total lunar eclipse can be bserved only in December 2010.

ANI