India witnesses partial solar eclipse

India witnessed a partial solar eclipse today, which began at eight past 6 in the morning and continued till 7.35 am. The solar eclipse was also visible in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia, Northern Alaska and the United States. Thousands of Hindus took a dip in the holy river Ganges during the occurrence of a solar eclipse today to ward off "evil effects" of the rare celestial phenomenon. In Varanasi, devotees offered water to sun god, took dip in Ganges River as seers prayed, as they believe prayers on this day help them attain salvation.