  The gap anisotropy in Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$ is revisited in the
framework of a d-wave scenario in view of the recent angle-resolved
photoemission experiment. Based on a tight-binding fit to the normal state
dispersion, a detail analysis on the effects of the inclusion of the next
harmonic in the d-wave has been presented. Significant effect has been observed
in the superconducting T$_c$. The density of states is linear at the nodes with
enhanced weight, caused by a marked increase in the low energy excitaions which
affect the thermodynamics considerably. The slope of the $\rho_s - T$ curve in
the low temperature regime increases and the specific heat reflects the
enhanced entropy at low temperatures. The leading edge of the ARPES energy
distribution curves have been calculated and found to shift towards higher
energy. The effect of scattering by non-magnetic impurities in this context is
also outlined.
