In Which state of India does the Sun rise first?
VerifiedAnswer: Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation:
The Sun rises first in Arunachal Pradesh among all the Indian states. This fascinating phenomenon occurs because of the state's unique geographical location in the easternmost part of India. The simple principle behind this is that as Earth rotates from west to east, the eastern regions experience sunrise before the western regions.
Arunachal Pradesh is positioned between 26°28' N to 29°30' N latitude and 91°30' E to 97°30' E longitude. The eastern boundary of the state extends up to 97°30' E, making it the easternmost point of India. This longitudinal position is crucial because the Earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours, which means it moves 15 degrees every hour. Therefore, places located further east witness sunrise earlier than those in the west.
The town of Dong in Arunachal Pradesh holds the special distinction of being the first place in India to witness the sunrise. Located in the Anjaw district, Dong is situated at the tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar. During winter months, the Sun rises here as early as 5:00 AM, while the rest of India is still in darkness.
This time difference becomes quite significant when compared to other parts of India. For instance, when the Sun rises in Arunachal Pradesh at 5:00 AM, it's still around 3:30 AM in Gujarat, the westernmost state of India. However, despite this natural time difference, the entire country follows a single time zone - Indian Standard Time (IST) - which is based on 82°30' E longitude passing through Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh.
The early sunrise in Arunachal Pradesh has both advantages and challenges for the local population. People here get more daylight hours and can start their daily activities earlier. However, it also means they experience sunset much earlier compared to other parts of India. During summer months, it gets dark by 5:30 PM in some parts of the state, while other Indian cities still have bright daylight.
This unique geographical feature makes Arunachal Pradesh special and attracts many tourists who want to witness the first rays of sunlight in India. The state tourism department has also developed this into an attraction, with special sunrise viewing points established in various locations across the state.
