(From top) A view of the solar eclipse as seen from Baihata Chariali near Guwahati, students from Manipur try their special filters at Bhimbetka near Bhopal and a cameraman captures the eclipse in Diphu. Pictures by PTI and Eastern Projections

July 22: People in several parts of Assam cursed the clouds this morning — despite longing for the truant rain — as the dark blobs waltzed lazily across the sun and poured cold water on what would otherwise have been a celestial treat after 955 years in the Brahmaputra valley.

Guwahati, Dhubri and Dhemaji were among the few lucky centres with a clear sky above that afforded a grand spectacle, a diamond ring included.

The centres touted as the “place to be at” for viewing the total solar eclipse in all its grandeur, like Goreswar, 60km from Guwahati, and Dibrugarh in Upper Assam, left both the local residents and visitors disappointed.

“Well, I won’t say it was a flop show, but I expected a lot more. I wish the clouds weren’t there today,” whispered Roshanara Begum, spellbound by the eeriness of the descending darkness and the accompanying cacophonous chirping of birds that took wing suddenly from a tree around 6.30am.

She was there with her family, squatting on the side of the road connecting Baihata Chariali, 35km from Guwahati, and Goreswar. “We had gone to Goreswar, but seeing the cloud cover in the skies there, we decided to move back towards Baihata Chariali but stopped here,” she said.

Baihata Chariali at least provided a clear view of the diamond ring while Guwahati was the chosen one.

The state capital was outside the ambit of the “total eclipse”, falling just short at 99.9 per cent, but by the time the eclipse made way for a blazing sun, the city had left others green with envy with its clear weather and, consequently, a much better view.

“It was a cloudless eclipse in Guwahati and people could watch this beautiful event from the first to the last without interruption,” Madhurjya P. Bora, reader at the department of Physics department, Gauhati University, told The Telegraph.

“The Bailey’s beads (a phenomena which can be seen just before the totality) were clear,” Bora added.

The Gauhati University Observatory had arranged for solar filters for the public and two telescopes for viewing the eclipse. It used a projection board for the image of the eclipse through a three-inch telescope and a 12-inch telescope for digital projection of the eclipse on a big screen, outside the observation dome, so that many people could watch the eclipse safely.

“I am thrilled... it was just heavenly,” exclaimed Devasish Deka, who had travelled from Jalukbari to witness the event. “I don’t know whether I’ll be able to see the next one,” he added.

The day had started much before dawn for those who wanted to head outside the state capital for a view of the eclipse since the event was to begin from around 5.30.

On the north bank of the Brahmaputra, a mixed bag was on offer. If the Baihata Chariali-Goreswar stretch could not rise to the occasion, Dhubri provided a grand sight, but not before giving a scare with last night’s rain.

“In fact, the rain was a blessing... it settled the dust and cleared the atmosphere and, to add, there was no fresh cloud this morning. The ‘diamond ring’ was breathtaking in its dazzle,” said Zakir Azim Baig, a college student.

“The best viewing was at Selapathar in Dhemaji district. Baihata Chariali witnessed a magnificent diamond ring, the sun’s corona shining around the moon’s shadow for a few seconds,” Guwahati Planetarium curator Babul Chandra Bora said.

Dibrugarh, where scientists from various institutions across the country had assembled to watch and study the eclipse, was a big let down as the weather played foul.

However, Dibrugarh University vice-chancellor K.K. Deka sounded optimistic. “The visibility may have been poor due to the light rain and overcast sky, but our men were able to conduct all the experiments they wished to during the eclipse and we are satisfied over that.”

Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, was another “blessed” place with the diamond ring dazzling its denizens. A large number of people had descended on the Indira Gandhi Park to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon.

Ten-year-old Arunika, the daughter of Ramendra Nath Koley, an assistant director with the research department, did not sleep last night in excitement. Even the initial drizzle could not deter her spirit. Armed with a binocular, she made her father take her outside to watch the solar eclipse. “I saw a gorgeous ring dazzling before my eyes in the sky. It’s amazing,” she shouted.

An overcast sky played spoilsport in Manipur and Nagaland.