Solar eclipse: Maha Kumbh Mela falls silent

Haridwar, Jan 15: While the millennium's longest solar eclipse has brought together thousands of people to spots from where they can witness the celestial brilliance, the bustling Maha Kumbh Mela has fallen silent.

Thousands of pilgrims, who reached Haridwar and took the holy dip in the sacred river Ganga over the past two days, have now reportedly taken to meditation or are performing havans during what is believed to be an inauspicious period.

The Haridwar temples have shut their doors, and sounds of vedic hymns, bells and conch shells are not to be heard, say media reports.

The solar eclipse started here at 11:58 AM and will continue till 3:12 PM.

The temples will be opened after the eclipse has passed and the statues of gods and goddesses, which are currently covered up, will be washed with the water from Ganga after which poojas and prayers will resume.

The ghats would be open again for the Mauni Amavasya once the eclipse ends, informed administration officials. Thousands are expected to gather again to take the holy bath.

OneIndia News