A place that the 20th century overlooked, not much has changed in the walled town of Bhuj since the days when it was ruled by the Jadeja Rajputs. Very much a medieval Kutchi township, its winding narrow alleyways and cluttered bazaars reflect a Gujarat of yesterday. Camels still amble through the market place. Cows lounge mid-road. And locals, wearing traditional Kutchi clothes, go about their business at a leisurely pace.

Tempting this description? Bhuj has our first vote as the ultimate travel destination for an eclipse holiday.

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Jalgaon, Maharashtra

Jalgaon is not the most romantic place in the world to watch the moon flirt with the sun. A small highway town, it is the jumping off point for the Ajanta and Ellora. And that is precisely the reason why one should head there. Why not combine homage to the eclipse with a pilgrimage to India's famous caves?

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Akola, Maharashtra

Akola, a market centre of the cotton growing belt, has a few decent hotels, good roads, prosperity, but no charm. Nevertheless, this town of 400,000, 99 km away from Nagpur, does offer a ringside seat for the heavenly spectacle. To make the trip worthwhile, you could console yourself with a few side trips to Chikhaldhara (awesomely pretty at this time of year) or to Bhusaval to see the grave of Robert Gill, who was responsible for much of the restoration work of the Ajanta paintings.

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Baroda, Gujarat

One of the larger cities of Gujarat. Bustling, noisy and humid, cosmopolitan Baroda is the most accessible spot to watch the century's last eclipse. You are assured of quick flight connections, excellent accommodation, three square meals and perhaps the opportunity to watch a good late night movie after the celestial show is over.

Do check Rediff's feature on Baroda, A river running by...

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Koraput, Orissa

While the eastern regions of India do not promise the best views of the eclipse, or at least rather short-lived views, if you happen to be in remote eastern Orissa head for Jeypore for an interesting eclipse holiday. Koraput is nearby and Jeypore makes a good base.

Southwestern Orissa is in fact virgin territory. Tourists seldom stray into the colourful tribal country around Koraput. But Orissa tourism has been making serious attempts to open this scenic area up. Koraput, Taptapani and environs around offer a wonderful holiday.

This is a very traditional Adivasi belt... Sal forests... rice fields... tribal women clad in traditional costume and stunning jewellery... tiny villages that are merely clusters of mud huts... more sal.

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Jagdalpur, Madhya Pradesh

The elliptical path of the eclipse slices right through the rump of Madhya Pradesh -- Chhattisgarh. Ideal holiday destinations in this very rural and remote area of the state are few. But why not try Jagdalpur? A district centre, it is one of the few outposts of civilisation in this forested, rustic tribal belt, that once formed part of the ancient settlement of South Kosala.

Eight hours from Raipur, Jagdalpur has one or two decent hotels and a government rest house. In its vicinity are several notable temples and waterfalls. Chitrakote falls is 38 km from Jagdalpur and is the point where the river Indravati falls of 96 ft. Tirathgarh Falls, also about 40 km from Jagdalpur, is 100 ft high. Nearby too are Kutumsar caves, whose stalactite and stalagmite columns are worth a look.

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Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh

What could be more apt than to spend a solar eclipse at a sun temple? Try Srikakulam in eastern Andhra Pradesh. Shri Suryanarayana Swamy temple, located three km from here at Arasavalli, is one of the prominent sun temples in the eastern India and has always attracted hordes of tourists. Srikakulam is 105 kilometres from Vishakapatnam and a trip to the holy town may be just accomplishable in a day.

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