KATHMANDU: Enthusiasts all over the country viewed the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century with much fanfare. Near darkness shrouded Dharan, Chandragadhi, Biratnagar, Ilam, Jhapa, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Udaypur and Siraha as the moon totally obscured the morning sun. According to astrophysicists, beginning from Dharan at 5:45:35 am, the eclipse came to an end in Hetauda at 7:47:45 am in Nepal. In Kathmandu, the eclipse occurred between 5:46:09 and 7:45:29 am, with maximum darkness at 6:42:41 am. Chandragadhi witnessed the longest eclipse, accounting for 3 minutes and 48 seconds. Government officials, amateur skygazers, students and people from all walks of life thronged the nearest spots where institutions had made a special arrangement for enthusiasts to safely arrest the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of the eclipse. Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Takshyasila Higher Secondary School and Kathmandu Mall rooftop were jammed with eclipse-maniacs. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is also the Chancellor of NAST, travelled to Khumaltar in Lalitpur to arrest a rare celestial view early in the morning. Adjusting protective goggles, he reacted that it was wonderful to view the phenomenon. 'The occasion rarely comes in life. It is exciting to watch the eclipse live,' said Nepal, thanking NAST for providing the opportunity. The total eclipse lasted a maximum of 39 seconds, varying in parts of the world. The eclipse first occurred in eastern India before passing through Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Japan and the Pacific. The last visible point from the earth was the South Pacific nation of Kiribati. In some places, the enthusiasts faced disappointment as the cloud cover blocked the view. Neha Singh, an eighth grader at Saraswati Boarding High School in Chhetrapati, who came to Takshyasila School with her classmates, said the event did not live up to her expectation. The government had declared a public holiday to mark the occasion.