Best Time to Visit Varanasi

The short answer

October to March is the best period. Days are mild, mornings on the ghats are cool and the evening aarti is comfortable to attend.

Winter (November to February)

Days are pleasant and nights are cold, and mornings can be foggy. This is the busiest season, so book hotels and cabs early. Carry a light jacket for sunrise boat rides.

Summer (April to June)

Temperatures are very high in the afternoon. If you travel in summer, plan sightseeing for early morning and evening and rest at midday.

Monsoon (July to September)

The Ganga rises, and some lower ghats and steps can be submerged, which affects walking routes and boat landing points. Crowds are lighter and prices are often lower.

Festivals worth planning around

Dev Deepawali (full-moon night in the month of Kartik, usually November) lights the ghats with lakhs of lamps. Mahashivratri, Holi and Ganga Dussehra are also major occasions. Festival days are spectacular but crowded, so reserve your stay and transport well in advance.

Weather at a glance

• November to February: roughly 8 to 25 °C. Cold mornings, often foggy.
• March: warming up, still comfortable early in the month.
• April to June: very hot, with highs often above 40 °C.
• July to September: humid with rain and a higher river.
• October: pleasant and a popular start of the season.

Which season suits which traveller

• First-time visitors and families: November, December, February.
• Photographers: winter mornings and the days around Dev Deepawali.
• Budget travellers: monsoon and early summer, when rates are lower.
• Elders and young children: avoid May and June, and avoid peak festival nights.

Hotels and prices through the year

Hotel and cab prices are highest in October to February and during major festivals. They drop in the summer months and during the monsoon. Book ahead for Dev Deepawali and the wedding season, when rooms near the ghats sell out.