3 of India's best spots to catch the sunrise

Fancy catching the first rays of the sun in a spectacular setting? Bitten by the morning bug, the trip shotlists three destinations from where to capture the most unforgettable frames of an Indian sunrise

Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
A visit to Tiger Hill just before dawn is a must while you're in Darjeeling. At 2,590m above sea level and 11kms from Darjeeling, enthusiasts will witness a spectacular sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga in the Eastern Himalayas.


Puri's shoreline is famous for its sand sculptures. Seen here is a replica
of the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai by Sudarshan Patnaik, to commemorate
the terror atacks on the city

This UNESCO World Heritage Site can be reached either by jeep or by foot through the route of Chowrasta, Alubari (incidentally the oldest tea plantation in Darjeeling) Jore Bungla and then climbing up to the summit, which takes about two hours.

From Tiger Hill, Mount Everest is vaguely visible, through two other peaks. The distance in a straight line from Tiger Hill to Everest is around 107 miles. While visiting the Tiger Hill, you can also halt at the Senchel sanctuary nearby. Tiger Hill is also home to many migratory birds.

Puri Beach, orissa
Okay, so you've done the temple circuit around Orissa but didn't yet manage to catch a breathtaking sunrise as yet. We suggest you head straightaway to Puri's white sands and catch a glimpse of one of the most spectacular sunrises along the East Coast. This beach is a sacred venue for pilgrims who come to pay homage to Lord Jagannath; so pick a secluded spot for your view to avoid the crowds.

While you marvel at the sun dip over the Bay of Bengal, you might also spot several sand sculptures created by several artists including the world famous Sudarshan Patnaik. These include designs of temples and chapters from Indian mythology as well as modern-day themes. Puri is barely an hour's drive (35 kms) from Bhubaneshwar so reaching this seaside town in time to catch the sunrise shouldn't be a worry. Head to the eastern side for a relatively quieter moment as you gasp in the morning rays of this magnificent eastern sunrise.

Vivekanand's Rock, Kanyakumari
Paeans have been written about Rock Memorial off Kanyakumari and the vantage view it provides, since it is lcoated in the middle of the sea. Naturally, the sunrise at this point is mesmeric. Crowds throng to watch the merging of the waters of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970 -- it is believed that Swami Vivekananda is said to have sat here in deep meditation. It is also home to a dhyana mandapam where one can sit in a serene atmosphere and meditate. Ferry services are available from Kanyakumari to reach the memorial. The striking Gandhi Memorial was built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion.

The memorial was designed such that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (October 2), the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where the ashes of the father of the nation were kept. This frame should be for keeps.