VARANASI, Sept. 8 -- The world-famous Maa Ganga Aarti was performed during daytime hours at Dashashwamedh Ghat on Sunday due to the lunar eclipse. The Aarti began at 12 noon and concluded before the start of the Sutak period, the traditional period of abstention observed before an eclipse. According to Sushant Mishra, president of Ganga Seva Nidhi, which organises the daily Ganga Aarti, this was only the fifth time in 34 years that the ritual was held during the day. Starting at 12 noon, the Maa Ganga Aarti was conducted in its traditional form and completed before the Sutak period began, Mishra said. He noted that the Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat was initiated in 1991 by the late Pandit Satendra Mishra. Many devotees and tourists witnessed the rare event. Mishra added that this was the fifth time in 34 years that the Aarti was held during daytime hours.P2...