TAREGNA, India — The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia from India to China into near darkness Wednesday as millions gathered to watch the phenomenon.
But millions more, gripped by fear, shuttered themselves in. India abounds in superstitions and fables based on Hindu mythology, one of which says an eclipse is caused when a dragon-demon swallows the sun.
The eclipse is caused when the moon covers the sun completely to cast a shadow on Earth. In some parts of Asia it lasted as long as 6 minutes and 39 seconds.
Thick cloud cover over India obscured the sun when the eclipse began at dawn. But the clouds parted in several cities, minutes before the total eclipse took place at 5:54 p.m. Tucson time.
In neighboring Bangladesh, people came out in droves.
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"It's a rare moment, I never thought I would see this in my life," said Abdullah Sayeed, a college student who traveled to Panchagarh town from the capital Dhaka to view it.
He said cars in the town needed to use headlights as "night darkness has fallen suddenly." People hugged each other and some blew whistles when the eclipse began, he said.
One of the best views, shown live on several television channels, appeared to be in the Indian town of Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges River, sacred to devout Hindus.
Thousands of Hindus took a dip in keeping with the ancient belief that bathing in the river at Varanasi, especially on special occasions, cleanses one's sins. The eclipse was seen there for 3 minutes and 48 seconds.
The eclipse — visible only in Asia — moved north and east from India to Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China.
It is the longest such eclipse since July 11, 1991, when a total eclipse lasting 6 minutes, 53 seconds was visible from Hawaii to South America.
There will not be a longer eclipse than Wednesday's until 2132.
Scientists said the Indian village of Taregna would have the clearest view, and that's where thousands of scientists, nature enthusiasts and students gathered a day in advance.
But their party was spoiled by thick clouds and overnight rains, although the town was still thrown into a cloudy darkness.
The clouds and rain were welcomed by many in this agricultural area, which has seen scant rainfall this monsoon season.
"It would have been nice to see the solar eclipse, but the rain is far more important for us," said Ram Naresh Yadav, a farmer.
