. >> abc's sonia galell reports millions of people have been waiting for this so they can practice their cultural rituals as the moon shifted right in front of the sun. >> reporter: as the moon moved, blocking the sun's rays and casting its shadow, people were excited and participated in rituals going back centuries. since the dawn of time these events have been shrouded in much superstition. in india huge crowds of people gathered along the banks of the river in india's most sacred places for the country's hindus. people offered prayers and bathed in the river. they believe doing so will cleanse one of sins. they also conducted traditional fire rituals as the sky darkened. one woman was in a stampeed where 200,000 people watched the event. in china excited crowd watched as murky skies gradually darkened and people gathered at beijing's observatory looking at the sun through special filters and telescopes to get a safe view of the eclipse. and, in thailand a more somber mood filled the temple. eclipses are believed to herald times of conflict so worshippers burned incense and prayed for