Follow the Tropic of Cancer for the most unique travel experiences in India

If you are looking for unusual travel ideas, here’s one for you. Why not follow the Tropic of Cancer and see where it takes you?

Tropic of Cancer, the most northerly circle of latitude on Earth, lies at an angle of 23.50 degrees north from the Equator. During the Summer Solstice, this is the line where the sun falls directly overhead. Hot!


Did you know that the Tropic of Cancer passes through India too? Yes, out of the 17 countries that it passes through, India is one of them. And following the Tropic of Cancer around India will take you from West to East. Sounds like a cool travel adventure, doesn’t it?


In India, the Tropic of Cancer passes through eight states – Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. In the West and Central India, all you have to do is to follow the Mahi River.


From Dhar and Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, it goes to Banswara in Rajasthan. Kalinjarh, the Tropic of Cancer destination, is a village in Banswara district. The river’s journey ends at the mouth of Gulf of Khambhat where it joins the Arabian Sea. From here, Jasdan (Tropic of Cancer, Gujarat) is just three hours away.


Another fun fact: As you make your way towards the east, you have Udaipur in Tripura, the city nearest to the Tropic of Cancer. Udaipur is HOT in summer! That’s why, it makes complete sense to do this fun journey in winter.


Your last destination of this epic and offbeat trip across India is Champhai in Mizoram. Surprisingly, Champhai enjoys a pretty mild temperature as compared to the rest of the Tropic of Cancer destinations in India. Also, Champhai is a must-visit because of its scenic beauty. Lush hills and forest are aplenty and sunrises are epic here in Champhai.

1. Which Indian states fall on the Tropic of Cancer?
   Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
2. Which river in India passes through the Tropic of Cancer twice?
   Mahi River.
3. When is Summer Solstice?
   June 21