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Best time to visit India: month by month
Short answer
October to March is the best time for northern India and the Golden Triangle: dry, with Delhi highs of about 18-31°C. December and January can be foggy and cold at night (lows of 7-9°C). April to June is very hot (37-38°C), and the monsoon from July to September brings heavy rain, with 12-22 rainy days a month in Delhi.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 7°C | 6 | high |
| Feb | 24°C | 11°C | 2 | high |
| Mar | 31°C | 17°C | 2 | high |
| Apr | 37°C | 21°C | 2 | medium |
| May | 37°C | 24°C | 5 | low |
| Jun | 38°C | 27°C | 8 | low |
| Jul | 34°C | 27°C | 22 | low |
| Aug | 34°C | 26°C | 12 | low |
| Sep | 33°C | 25°C | 16 | medium |
| Oct | 31°C | 19°C | 3 | high |
| Nov | 26°C | 14°C | 1 | very high |
| Dec | 22°C | 9°C | 1 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
March is warm (31°C) and pleasant, with Holi; April and May reach 37°C or more in Delhi and the plains.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is the hottest (38°C) before the monsoon arrives around late June to July, with about 22 rainy days in July; hill stations are popular.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still wet (about 16 rainy days); October (31°C) and November (26°C) are dry and among the best months, with Diwali.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dry and mild by day (highs of 18-24°C), cold at night (lows of 7-11°C), with fog in Delhi that can delay trains and flights.
Events worth planning around
- Holi, the festival of colours, in March
- Diwali, the festival of lights, in October or November
- Pushkar Camel Fair, in October or November
- Republic Day parade in Delhi, 26 January
- Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, about two weeks after Diwali
When to avoid
Avoid May and June in the northern plains, when temperatures often exceed 40°C, and July-August if you want reliable sightseeing weather; the far south and the Himalayas follow different patterns.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit India?
For the north and Rajasthan, October to March; November and February are particularly pleasant.
Is India too hot in summer?
In the northern plains, yes: April to June often exceeds 37-40°C. Visit the Himalayas or plan very early starts.
When is Holi?
In March, on the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna; the date changes each year.