Summer solstice sun rises on Stonehenge

London: Thousands of people converged at the UK's iconic Stonehenge on Sunday to witness the sun rise above the horizon through the timeless stones for its longest day on earth or the summer solstice as Yoga reached the popular neolithic site.

Around 23,000 revellers, including hippies and pagans, turned up before dawn at the prehistoric stone circle southwest England, some 130 kilometres from here.

One of the wonders of the world, the 17 or so other rock types standing for about 4,600 years in Wiltshire provided a spectacular view at sunrise to the crowd waiting for a glimpse of the sun despite cloud in the area.

Others also visited the nearby Avebury stone circle amid apprehension that cloud and rain would spoil the view. However, some visitors to the World Heritage Site said this year's solstice sunrise was one of the best they had seen.

The party for the revellers, some with flowers in hair and playing drums and accordions, was shorter than during the past years as the sun was visible only briefly.

Free-form celebrations witnessed visitors kissing the stones believed to have been erected in around 2500 BC, couples renewing their commitments, dancers swirling on the grass and drummers pounding even as a small group of yoga enthusiasts held a short class.

The figure was down on the estimated 36,000 who attended last year and the 30,000 expected, but they were able to get a glimpse of the sun after it came over the horizon at 4.52 am, The Guardian reported. "This year the crowds were able to see the sun as it appeared over the horizon, before it disappeared under low cloud," Superintendent of Police Gavin Williams said.

"Solstice 2015 has been a great success with approximately 23,000 people celebrating at Stonehenge in the positive, friendly atmosphere as they waited for the sunrise," he added.

Over a million people flock to Stonehenge every year, with thousands attending ceremonies to mark the solstices in summer and winter - either of the two times in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marked by the longest and shortest days.

This year, the solstice coincided with the International Day of Yoga that was adopted in December and observed by practitioners of the Indian spriritual practice in large numbers around the world. Stonehenge is believed to have been used as an important religious site by early Britons 4,000 years ago. The more recent pagan celebrations at the site began in the 20th century.