India’s climate changes greatly by region. Pick a month to see which destinations are at their best.
Last reviewed · Massvaa Care Wellness editorial teamOn this page
The calendar
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Off-peak | Off-peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Rishikesh | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Off-peak | Off-peak | Not advised | Not advised | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Good |
| Mysuru | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Off-peak | Off-peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| The Himalayas | Not advised | Not advised | Off-peak | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Off-peak | Not advised |
| Goa | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Off-peak | Off-peak | Not advised | Not advised | Not advised | Off-peak | Good | Ideal | Ideal |
| Delhi NCR | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Good | Ideal | Good | Good |
| Tamil Nadu | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Off-peak | Not advised | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Good | Off-peak | Off-peak | Good |
| Pune & Lonavala | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Hyderabad | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Off-peak | Not advised | Off-peak | Good | Good | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Bengaluru | Ideal | Ideal | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Varanasi | Good | Ideal | Ideal | Off-peak | Not advised | Not advised | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Ideal | Ideal | Good |
- Ideal
- Good
- Off-peak
- Not advised
Region by region
The June–September monsoon is a traditional season for Ayurveda; Karkidakam falls in about mid-July to mid-August. Read the guide →
The International Yoga Festival is held each March. The July–August monsoon can close mountain roads. Read the guide →
Dasara, in September or October, is the city’s great festival. Read the guide →
Ladakh from about May to September; Sikkim and Dharamshala are best in spring and autumn. Read the guide →
Most beach retreats close during the June–September monsoon. Read the guide →
Very hot in May and June; air quality can be poor in late autumn and winter. Read the guide →
The north-east monsoon brings rain to the coast from about October to December; the hills are pleasant in spring. Read the guide →
Lonavala is greenest, and wettest, in the June–September monsoon. Read the guide →
Very hot from March to June; October to February is the most comfortable. Read the guide →
Mild for most of the year; the monsoon is moderate. Read the guide →
Dev Deepawali lights the ghats in November; some ghats flood in the monsoon. Read the guide →
Is the monsoon a bad time?
Not for Ayurveda. Classical texts give the rainy season its own seasonal routine, and many Kerala physicians consider the monsoon a preferred season for therapies. The Malayalam month of Karkidakam (about mid-July to mid-August) is a traditional season for rejuvenation. Expect rain, green landscapes and quieter centres; plan fewer excursions.
For the mountains, the monsoon is different: in Rishikesh and the lower Himalayas, heavy rain can close roads, so we suggest spring and autumn instead.
Festivals worth planning around
Rishikesh, each March: a week of classes, talks and music on the Ganges.
21 June, celebrated across India with mass sessions.
Kerala’s harvest festival, in August or September.
Mysuru’s ten-day festival, in September or October, when the palace is lit up.
The festival of lights, in October or November. Travel is busy; book early.
The Tibetan New Year, in February or March, in Himalayan communities.
Official sources
Rules, registrations and visa terms change. Where this page and an official source differ, the official source applies.
