Key Points

This morning, visuals from Ayodhya's Saryu Ghat showed devotees taking a holy bath in the Saryu River.

A total lunar eclipse commenced at 8:58 p.m. on Sunday and lasted until 2:25 a.m. today across India.

A lunar eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to darken. This alignment occurs during an eclipse season, approximately every six months, during the full moon phase when the Moon's orbital plane is closest to the Earth's orbital plane.

This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are exactly or very closely aligned with Earth between the other two, which can happen only on the night of a full moon when the Moon is near either lunar node. The type and length of a lunar eclipse depend on the Moon's proximity to the lunar node.

Excitement swept across parts of India on Sunday night, as thousands gathered in cities to witness the celestial event, also popularly known as the "Blood Moon".

In the national capital, Delhiites braved cloudy skies to gather at the Nehru Planetarium.

"It is covered with clouds right now. We are very excited to witness the lunar eclipse and see the detailed process of how it happens..." said a woman who reached Nehru Planetarium to watch the Total Lunar Eclipse.

In Bengaluru, large crowds gathered at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics to witness the spectacle.

Sahana, an early visitor, said, "It was not fully red, but I could see the moon in a light grey shade. It was nice. It was a good experience. I am waiting for 11 p.m. to watch the blood moon," said Sahana, who reached the Indian Institute of Astrophysics to watch the Total Lunar Eclipse.

Earlier on Sunday, speaking to ANI on the Total Lunar Eclipse, Mahant Sitaram Das of Saket Bhawan Temple said, "... This lunar eclipse will cause social differences and a war-like situation... It will be beneficial for the people of the four zodiac signs, Aries, Sagittarius, Virgo, and Taurus. For the rest, it will not have good effects... There will be earthquake situations in the western countries...".

- ANI