Thousands of devotes are expected to take dip in river Ganga this afternoon, on the second day of Maha Kumbh, once the solar eclipse is over at around 1500 hours. Devotees who have thronged this temple town preferred either staying in ashram and hotels or taking tour of the town. Due to eclipse the temples are close in Haridwar and there was low turnout of the devotees on different ghats.
As per local pundits (priests) taking bath after the eclipse brings good fate. Prior to eclipse the morning arti (prayer) was also not offered at the main Ganga temple at Har-Ki-Pauri.
Hoteliers and local businessmen are expecting the numbers of visitors to swell in the next two days. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal toured town in the wee hours of today morning and took stock of the security arrangements.
According to officials the CM expressed satisfaction over the security measures.