20 Most Spectacular Sunrise and Sunset Points in India

The land of amazing natural beauty, India, offers its admirers with a plethora of blissful places that are irreplaceable and which stay immortal in their memories. Some of these spots show their best qualities at the opening and closing times of the day. These spots talk about towering mountains, romantic beaches and river side drives. To explain the beauty of them, here is a list of 20 most spectacular sunrise and sunset points in India    

Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island

Sunset View of Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island - Image Source

Quiet from the rest of the busy Andaman, Radhanagar beach is a long white sandy location which covers itself into hues of golden at similar looking times of the day; dawn and dusk. Rightfully known as Asia’s best beach, Radhanagar on the Havelock Island of Andaman has its beauty defined by turquoise blue waters and white sand accompanied by lush forest and palm trees. The trick to enjoy the gorgeous sunset or sunrise here is go barefoot. Walk into the slow gentle waves as they wash the shore, feel the cool breeze and just savor the breathtaking sight in front of you. Do not forget to bring your love interest, while you witness its magical aura.

Kanyakumari

Sunrise View Point of Kanyakumari

Watching the sun setting down at the southernmost tip of Indian peninsula is a sight that can live in your memories for a lifetime. Kanyakumari in the state of TamilNadu is special not only because it is India’s Land’s end, but it has the confluence of three ocean bodies-Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, right in front of it. This makes watching the sunset/sunrise a one of a kind experience. To have a clear and panoramic view of the beach front getting glistened in the reddish shades of the setting sun, you can climb up to the lighthouse available at the beach. Similar things can also be said about the moonrise at Kanyakumari.    

When was the last time your eyes were stuck at the orange horizon of the setting sun? Little vague in your head. Isn’t it? One visit to the Marine Drive in Cochin (Kochi) and you will never forget such an experience. You can call it God’s own sunset as that is how the divine illuminates. Romantic minds describe it as a perfect setting, a perfect selection of colors by nature as it paints the evening at the Marine drive harbor. The sun is gone but the rays are left shimmering as if it forgot to take them along.

It’s like an artist’s impression; Varkala in the secluded zones of Kerala has a story to tell. At the day time when the sun is high on its shine, Varkala with its brown sands, landscapes and silver lined waterfront, is a lot wonderful. But, as soon as the sun recedes, the canvas starts to take shape. In shades of golden and orange, the paradise starts with its show. Make a jump in the waves for they are gentle. The shadows in which you will emerge out describe the mood of the evening sun; mystically beautiful.

Start early at dawn to witness some of the most magnificent sights on the planet. Tiger Hill in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, offers a spectacular show of the morning sun as it showers its first rays on the mighty Himalayas. Particularly, the highest of the mountain peaks in the world, Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Everest. It starts with the mountains turning reddish pink. Moments later, the peaks turn all fiery yellow as if molten gold has been poured on them. Quite a breathtaking sight to bestow. Also explains the significance of Tiger hill.

Puri on the eastern coast of India is famous for its spectacular beach. Continuously washed down by the waves of Bay of Bengal, Puri beach has its charm that radiates in many colors. Especially at the time of sunrise and sunset. The lovely beach usually stay crowded with tourists during the daytime, but as the evening comes, solace becomes the fact of the hour. Hence, a perfect setting for the couples or families to spend a quality time at the newly tuned golden beach.

What adds more to the beauty of a monument? In my opinion, it’s the nature’s setting that suddenly makes the beauty of the monument reach its zenith. But do you know what effect it has on one of the most beautiful monuments on this planet, the Taj Mahal?. Well, you have to see for yourself when the first rays of the morning sun glisten this pure marble structure. The white turning little golden and casting its shadows on the structures around it, a sight which is something really pleasing to the eyes. Plus, at that time of the day you can get a breather from the huge crowd.

A reservoir in the nature clad, lush hills of Meghalaya, Umiam lake is a beautiful sojourn. It’s breathtaking natural setting makes it more special at the twin times of the day-sunrise/sunset. Hues of orange slowly descending from the lake, sky and the verdant surroundings as the sun starts to hide itself down the horizon; with a romanticism like this, and the lake is your favorite place near Shillong.       

Dramatic red cliffs on its shore and while you stand on top of them, having a hemispherical view of the surroundings down below, your eyes will catch the sight of many. Seagulls flying close to the dropping waves, a tiny little sun calling it a day in the horizon, few boys playing ball gameat the sandy shore, shacks laying in open waiting for the evening party to start. The clam and quiet Vagator beach in Goa is where you need to hit up during the evening. Although it might not be that quiet when the party lights will turn on, but nevertheless would be beautiful.

What is the best way to enjoy the beauty of Nandi hills in Bangalore? You can try with waking up earlier than the sun and head to the top of the hills. At the break of dawn, you will have a splendid view, for which you never gave a thought. To do that, you need to arrive at Nandi hills a day before, camp there overnight and welcome the sun the very first (as the ticket window opens at 6 am).

The white desert of India, Rann of Kutch has an unmatched beauty that glows in different colors. Blinding white at the day time when the sun is directly over its head or like an icy blue land with patches of orange that goes to the footsteps of the drowning sun in the evening. Same can be said in the case of the morning sun as it sparkles the salty land of the Rann. So now, it’s your call what to save in your photo gallery.

Brahmaputra River, Dibrugarh

Sunrise at Brahmaputra River Ghat, Image Credit : Ishtiaque Fazlul

It is amongst the most wonderful times when the day and night clash with each other, urging for a space in the sky. And when most of the southern India is famous for offering blue and orange sunsets, at the mighty Brahmaputra River in Dibrugarh, it is a series of yellow and purple shades. You can also see patterns of red and crimson yellow when the sun glistens the mighty Brahmaputra River and turn it into a water body of blessed crystals.

Among the many leisure activities that you can do at Alleppey, the most alluring of them is enjoying the sunset at the beautiful Alleppey beach. As dusk sets in, blue waters of the beach turn sparkling gold and orange. It is easy to understand why some just get stuck at this sight as if they are hypnotized. To enjoy it up close, walk to the edge of the decrepit bridge (a major landmark at the beach).

Located in the south west of the scenic Nakki lake in Mount Abu, the sunset point is a major tourist attraction in the hill station. It is at one of the peaks of the Aravalli range and watching the sun go down from here is a real treat to the eyes. With the beautiful Nakki Lake shining in the sun like a crazy diamond in sight, it is altogether a different experience.

High in the Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh, lies the hill station of Pachmarhi. Blessed with evergreen sceneries of nature, the hill station is also known as the queen of Satpura. Its beauty is also defined by the beautiful sunsets and sunrises as they pierce the whole of the hill station with their golden hues.

The three armed valley in the northeast of Ladakh, Nubra has its essence in the oasis like green villages, surrounded by the sand dunes of the Himalayas. Catching the sight of the rising sun at this highly contrasting zone of colors (blue sky with patches of white clouds, green pastures with silver dunes all around), is an experience like no other. Agreed that the region is tough with extreme temperatures, but as soon as you will see this phenomenal sight, you will fall in love with it.  

While on a hunt of catching the best sunrises across India, one can make his way to Agumbe. Agumbe is a small village in the state of Karnataka. Sometimes they call it the Cherrapunji of South. So, if you happen to travel to this place at the wee hours of the morning, you may catch the sight of the morning sun illuminating the freshly drenched hill station. Perfect for a rainbow too.

Mussoorie

Sunrise view at Mussoorie, Image Credit : Deepak Rawat

It is near the Char Bazaar in Mussoorie where around 6am in the morning, the sun plays its game with the lofty snow covered mountain peaks right in front of the hill station. Famous as the sunrise point, it offers a sight that you can cherish for long.

Matheran, Maharashtra

Sunset at Matheran, Image Credit : antti.keskitalo

Matheran in the state of Maharashtra is home to more than 30 points from where you can witness some of the best sunrises and sunsets you ever wish for. This very popular hill station resides between Mumbai and Pune and is known for its excellent views of the valley surrounding it.