A stunning video showing the sunshine lighting up the peak of Mount Neelkanth in the state of Uttarakhand in India brought attention to the phenomenon of Alpenglow. In the video, the sunlight has a sparkling
impact on the snowy peaks of Mount Neelkanth, creating a visual effect that would soothe one’s eyes and be a memory for the ages.
“A time-lapse of sunlight lighting up the snowy peak of Mount Neelkanth, India. This phenomenon is called alpenglow,” wrote a popular account sharing the video on X. The Mt Neelkanth and the valleys of the Pauri Garhwal district also carry special spiritual significance in Hinduism due to the proximity to the ancient Neelkanth Mahadev temple in Hrishikesh.
What Is Alpenglow
The concept of Alpenglow or Alpine Glow is not limited to Mount Neelkanth, however. It’s a natural scientific phenomenon where the sunshine occurs on the mountaintops to create a glow and light on the peak. The glow occurs at the time of sunset or dawn when the sun goes behind the horizon or appears from behind it.
A time-lapse of sunlight lighting up the snowy peak of Mount Neelkanth, India
This phenomenon is called alpenglow
— Science girl (@sciencegirl) January 14, 2026
The moment the sunlight reaches the mountain peaks, it receives a mesmerising effect where the peak brightens up in hues of the rainbow colours, often vibrant yellow but also orange and pinkish at other times. The mix of orange and pink reflects the longest warm rays of the electromagnetic wave. The glow persists for some time on the mountaintop after sunset and flares up again at dawn.
Direct Or Indirect Sunlight?
While the phenomenon of Alpenglow has been defined as the case of the sunshine coming from behind the horizon, photographers have tended to dispute that, saying any object glows when the light comes directly in contact with it. This theory has carried weight with photographers, particularly because the observer on the ground often doesn’t see the sun.
Experts continue to stress it as an occurrence of indirect sunlight exposure. The glow, they highlight, is a byproduct of light being reflected from the suspended particles in the atmosphere, often the clouds, which is why we see them as well as the skyline close to the horizon coloured at the point of sunrise and sunset.
