Bangalore, Jan 15 (IANS) It was a pleasure driving on the usually choked Bangalore roads Friday, thanks to the rare annular solar eclipse.

Movement of vehicles and people began thinning as the clock struck 11.

The moon started eclipsing the sun 16 minutes past 11 and for the next nearly four hours few vehicles were on the roads.

In many areas, shops, particularly eateries, shut doors for almost an hour before the eclipse began. They reopened around 4 p.m. as vehicular and people movement picked up.

Attendance in government, private offices and banks was not affected as most of them open around 10 a.m. The staff had reached their work places by the time eclipse began.

Most temples had announced that they would close during the eclipse hours and reopen in the evening. At several temples, special prayers were held before the eclipse started.

While astrologers advised people not to consume water or food during the eclipse, Bharat Gyan Vijnan Samitim, a science forum, arranged for not only eclipse viewing but served 'pongal' (sweet rice) to people at a school ground in north Bangalore, hoping to shatter myths surrounding the eclipse.

Bangaloreans who wanted to view the eclipse had anxious time in the morning as the skies were overcast. Fortunately, the clouds disappeared after 10 a.m., bringing relief and excitement.