Why there is selfie craze at Tropic of Cancer in Raisen; thrilling experience for tourists from Bhopal, Sehore and surrounding areas
The Tropic of Cancer site in Raisen district, located on Bhopal-Vidisha State Highway 18, has become a popular selfie spot for tourists due to its unique identity. The tourist crowd increases on Saturdays and Sundays. Families arrive here after hearing about the location's fame and stop to take selfies. However, the lack of safety measures at this location remains a concern.
Tourists, especially children and families, risk their lives crossing the highway, as there are no safety measures or road signs. This situation can lead to potential accidents. Given the growing popularity of this Tropic of Cancer site, locals feel the Tourism Department needs to improve safety and infrastructure. If better arrangements are in place, such as safe crossings, signage, and appropriately designed selfie points, it can not only ensure the safety of tourists but also attract more of them.
No Shadow Zone
The Tropic of Cancer is also famous because every year on June 21st, at 12 noon, a person cannot see their own shadow. This is because at the Tropic of Cancer, at 12 noon on June 21st, the sun's rays fall at a 90-degree angle, creating no shadow for a person standing there. Therefore, the Tropic of Cancer region is also known as the No Shadow Zone. On June 21st, when the sun is directly above this line, the day is the longest and the night is the shortest in the Northern Hemisphere.
A pleasant experience
Staying at the Tropic of Cancer, which we have studied in geography and seen on the globe since childhood, is a pleasant experience in itself. The Tropic of Cancer originates 25 kilometers north of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The place where it passes is located near the Salamatpur Berkhedi intersection in Raisen district on the Bhopal-Vidisha State Highway-18.
A platform-like monument made of Rajasthani stones has been built at that spot to mark the Tropic of Cancer. This spot is the most attractive selfie spot in Raisen district. Everyone passing by here does not move on without taking a selfie. This line is one of the five major latitude lines on Earth that are shown on the Earth's map.
Tropic of Cancer passes through these cities and states
The Tropic of Cancer, at 23.32 degrees north latitude, passes through the districts of Raisen, Vidisha, Sagar, Damoh, Katni, Umaria, Shahdol, and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. In places where this line passes, the summer season is longer than the winter season. As most of South Africa's Sahara Desert lies on the Tropic of Cancer, temperatures are highest there. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Mizoram, in addition to Madhya Pradesh.
Visitors demand better safety
A Kolar resident in Bhopal said he came with his family recently on weekend to take a selfie at the Tropic of Cancer site. I really enjoyed visiting. The government should make more arrangements for tourists here.
Another visitor said, “I came from Sehore to visit the Sanch Fair with my family on Sunday. On the way, I stopped at the Tropic of Cancer to take a selfie with my family. To take photos, one has to cross the highway, which carries the risk of an accident. The tourism department should make safety arrangements here.”
Prakash Kumar Pandey