Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims plunged into sacred rivers and pools during a solar eclipse Sunday, believing they would be freed of sin and attain salvation. Authorities said a 12-year-old boy drowned. As the moon partially passed between the Earth and sun, worshipers chanted hymns and blew conch shells. About 3,000 naked holy men waded into the giant sacred pools of Sannihit and Brahmsarovar, followed in turns by an estimated 500,000 men and women, some clothed, others naked. Many carried coconuts, auspicious symbols for Hindus, and set them in the water. Others gave alms to beggars or Hindu priests, who offered prayers to the sun. There is an ancient belief that the sun is in pain during an eclipse and prayers must be offered for its relief. The scene was repeated, in smaller numbers, at rivers and pools across India. An epic Hindu poem, the ``Mahabharata,'' promises salvation to those who bathe or give alms at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse. Kurukshetra's larger pool, Brahmasarovar, has a two-mile perimeter. Sannihit's perimeter is about half that size. The pools can accomodate 125,000 people. Thousands of police stood guard and directed traffic in the town of 25,000 people about 90 miles north of New Delhi. Divers and lifeguards kept watch over the bathers but could not save the 12-year-old boy from drowning, authorities said. The eclipse, which lasted about 90 minutes, was the third in the past year. The others occurred on March 18 and Sept. 13, 1987. According to Hindu legend, Kurukshetra was created by the Hindu god Lord Brahma and was the scene of an ancient battle in which Lord Vishnu, the protector of the Hindu diety, pleaded for righteousness.
On March 18, 1988 and September 13, 1987 the moon partially passed between the Earth and sun bringing a solar eclipse to India . Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims bathed, dressed and undressed, in the giant sacred pools at Sannihit . Many carried coconuts or gave alms to beggars and priests. Hundreds of thousands 12-year-old boy drowned. Smaller numbers bathed at rivers and pools throughout India . The eclipse, which lasted about 90 minutes , was the third in the past year . The others occurred on March 18, 1988 and September 13, 1987 .