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Best time to visit Varanasi: month by month
Short answer
October to March is the best time: dry, with highs of about 21–31°C. December and January mornings are foggy and cold (lows of about 10–12°C). April to June is very hot (about 38–39°C), and the monsoon from July to September brings 22–25 rainy days a month and can flood the lower ghats and stop boats.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°C | 10°C | 3 | high |
| Feb | 27°C | 13°C | 0 | high |
| Mar | 34°C | 19°C | 3 | high |
| Apr | 39°C | 23°C | 0 | low |
| May | 38°C | 26°C | 7 | low |
| Jun | 38°C | 28°C | 13 | low |
| Jul | 34°C | 27°C | 22 | low |
| Aug | 32°C | 26°C | 23 | low |
| Sep | 32°C | 26°C | 25 | medium |
| Oct | 31°C | 21°C | 8 | high |
| Nov | 28°C | 16°C | 1 | very high |
| Dec | 24°C | 12°C | 1 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
March is warm (about 34°C) and dry; April and May reach 38–39°C with lows of 23–26°C. Holi falls in February or March.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is hot (about 38°C) as the monsoon arrives; July and August have 22–23 rainy days and highs of 32–34°C. The river rises and boats may stop.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still wet (about 25 rainy days); October (31°C) and November (28°C) are dry and pleasant. Dev Deepawali lights the ghats in November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 21–27°C and lows of 10–13°C, with very little rain. Mornings in December and January are often foggy and cold, which can delay trains and flights.
Events worth planning around
- Mahashivratri, the great night of Shiva, with huge crowds at Kashi Vishwanath (February or March)
- Holi, the festival of colours (February or March, depending on the lunar calendar)
- Diwali (October or November)
- Dev Deepawali, when the ghats are lit with oil lamps on the full moon of Kartik (usually November); rooms sell out months ahead
When to avoid
May and June are the hottest months, and the peak monsoon from July to September can flood the lower ghats and stop boats. During major festivals the city is extremely crowded; book early if you want to be there.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Varanasi?
November or February: dry, with highs of about 27–28°C and clear mornings. November also has Dev Deepawali, but book months ahead.
Is Varanasi foggy in winter?
Often in December and January, with cold, foggy mornings that can delay trains and flights. It usually clears by late morning.
Can I visit Varanasi in the monsoon?
Yes, but July to September brings 22–25 rainy days a month, the river rises over the lower ghats and boats may stop.