Lunar eclipse: Ganga aarti performed in daytime in Haridwar, Varanasi

The timing of the Ganga aarti was advanced by around five hours as all auspicious activities are supposed to stopped nine hours before the lunar eclipse

The famous Ganga aarti ritual, usually held in the evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi and Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, were performed early Friday afternoon due to the lunar eclipse.

The famous Ganga aarti ritual is usually held in the evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi and Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. (File photo)

The aarti normally takes place just before sunset.

The Gangotri Seva Samiti and Ganga Seva Nidhi, which organise the Ganga aarti, advanced the timings of the daily ritual by around five hours as all auspicious activities are supposed to stopped nine hours before the lunar eclipse, said pandit Kishori Raman Dubey, aka Babu Maharaja, of the Gangotri Sewa Samiti.

The aarti began at 1.30 pm in Varanasi and 2 pm in Haridwar and was witnessed by many devotees and tourists.

The lunar eclipse will start Friday night and continue for about one hour and 43 minutes till the early hours of Saturday.

This is the second occasion in the last two years when the timing of the Ganga Aarti was advanced because of a lunar eclipse.

Sushant Mishra of the Ganga Seva Nidhi said the Ganga Aarti was performed at noon on August 7 last year due to a lunar eclipse.

The Ganga Aarti, now a major attraction for tourists, was first organised around 25 years ago.