The eclipse, first for the year, will start at 2.15 p.m. Monday and end by 4 p.m.
'The eclipse will be visible only from southern parts of India, eastern coast, most of northeast India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. People in north and west India will miss the celestial activity,' N. Rathnasree, director Nehru Planetarium, told IANS.
The origin of the eclipse will be in south Atlantic Ocean in South Africa where the moon's shadow will first touch the earth, the official said. The eclipse ends when the moon's shadow finally leaves the earth in the South China Sea.
'People can watch the solar eclipse using proper eye gadgets and telescope as it is harmful to view it with naked eyes,' Rathnasree said.
The next solar eclipse will occur July 22 this year and will be the century's longest duration total solar eclipse.
'The path of the totality of the eclipse will pass through India and people across the country will be able to observe it,' Rathnasree added.