Cox & Kings is offering a special flight that would let enthusiasts witness the spectacle from up close for Rs 29,000-79,000. Says Cox & Kings executive director Arup Sen, "This is the first time we have attempted such a trip. We already have a number of bookings."

The three-hour flight will take off from New Delhi, fly towards and hover over Gaya during the duration of the eclipse. The aircraft will intercept the middle of the eclipse shadow at 41,000 feet. Those taking the right side windows will get to see the `sun side', while those sitting on the left side windows will see the `earth side' and the shadow on earth, Mr Sen adds.

Eclipses have caught the fancy of travellers from African and Western countries for long, but it has never before been a tourist's delight of such measure in India. The opportunity of drawing tourists with a six-and-ahalf minute, once-in-a-lifetime eclipse has been irresistible for travel firms, which are adding the spectacle to their regular tours.

Says Rajendra Singh, director of Incredible Real India Tour: "We have clubbed the eclipse with our regular tour packages to make them more interesting and exciting. We never thought it would turn out to be such a hit." The company will organise a special viewing in Varanasi for which regular travellers will not be charged extra.

In India, the eclipse will be visible in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.