Millions of people in Asia watched Wednesday's total solar eclipse lasting more than six minutes, the longest since July 11, 1991.

Indians, Nepalese, Myanmarese, Bangladeshis, Bhutanese and Chinese gathered on rooftops, planetariums, riverbanks and open grounds to see the moon cover the sun in the morning.

The eclipse was first seen at 5.28 a.m. in Surat, Gujarat, in western India. The morning sky was darkened in many places in India for six minutes and 44 seconds. In the Indian town of Varanasi, which was cited as the best place to view the eclipse, the darkness lasted three minutes and 48 seconds.

A partial total solar eclipse was visible in other Indian and Asian cities while other places were unlucky to see the rare phenomenon due to thick clouds. It will be in 2132 that another similar event will occur.

Devout Hindus in India timed a dip in the holy river of Ganges on Wednesday believing the sun's rays make the water holier. The tradition is believed to cleanse a person from sin.

Unfortunately, the day was not without tragedy, according to reports.

Two people taking part in the ritual in Varanasi died, with one drowning and the other being crushed in a stampede. Six people were also injured in the stampede on the banks of the Ganges, where 2,500 gathered.