Kunjapuri Mata Temple

About 45–60 minutes' drive from Rishikesh, at the top of a hill, is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths, sacred places where, according to legend, parts of the body of the goddess Sati fell. The temple sits at about 1676 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains. You can reach it by bike or taxi almost to the entrance. The final stretch is about 5 minutes up a wide stone staircase leading directly to the temple.

If there's one sunrise worth witnessing in Rishikesh, it's here. People climb up in the dark to watch the sun gradually illuminate the Himalayan peaks. The view is mesmerizing, and the atmosphere is truly quiet and sacred.

A sacred sunrise