Best Time (When) To Visit Varanasi – Months, Season, Climate

Best Time to Visit Varanasi

Best time to visit Varanasi depends on several factors. For the Hindus, various festivals, fairs and the dates of religious rituals determine the best & opportune time to visit Varanasi. But, for the foreign nationals, it’s the conditions like weather, climate and season that matter most. Being cultural capital of India, the most pious religious destination for Hindus and the World’s oldest living city, Varanasi, also called Benares or Kashi, is a must-see place during India tour. Varanasi is Lord Shiva’s city. Shiva is the presiding deity. Morning of Varanasi is famous all over the word. It is a fascinating experience for every tourist in India is to witness the morning rituals on the banks of the sacred Ganges River in Varanasi. Recognized as one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet, it is an unforgettable experience to wake up early to take a boat ride down the River Ganga. Watch Hindu faithful making prayers and giving offerings, sadhus - holy men - meditating side by side with foreign tourists, young people practicing yoga, women washing clothes and bodies being cremated and religious people performing rituals. A walk through narrow alleys introduces with day-to-day lifestyle of the people and their cultural practices. In the suburbs of the city lies Sarnath, the place where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermons on the Dhamma (Dharma). At the site are one of the oldest known stupas, ravaged monastery, a well-kept museum and several Buddhist temples belonging to different nationalities.

Visiting Varanasi during Winter Season (October - March): As per the weather condition, the best time to visit Varanasi is during the months of October, November, December, January, February and March. The winter season commences from October and lasts till Holi festival in March. This is the best time to explore Varanasi as the climate and weather is soothing and favorable for sightseeing. The temperature in winter season decreases rapidly during the month of October-November. During the month of December very low variation in temperature is recorded, while in January the temperature remains almost constant. The temperature in these two months ranges between 7°C and 13°C. February records a rapid increase in temperature. The dry and cold winds of this season slowly blow down from the north-west. Humidity remains relatively higher in December and January. During November and February, the air is comparatively dry and generally rainless. The bright and sunny winter provides the finest weather for the city which attracts the maximum number of tourists. Thus, this period, is considered as the ‘peak period season’ for tourists. The tourists belonging to temperate climate find the season to be quite pleasant. The average rainfall of the winter season is about 7.5 cm. Moderate temperature, light winds, clear skies and dry and bracing atmosphere are the main characteristics of the period between October and mid-December. Disturbed weather is of rare occurrence in this season. From mid-December to January, the city is occasionally visited by cold weather depressions which result in a short wet period characterized by clouds and showers. In March, the temperature keeps rising but gradually. The days in March are longer and warmer but evening remains quite pleasant. Ganga Mahotsav, Mahashivratri , Holi, Dev Deepawali, Makar Sankranti, Diwali, Dussehra, Navratri and Chhath Puja are some of the popular festivals celebrated in these months.

Visiting Varanasi during Summer Season (April - June): The warmest months are April, May and June. The maximum and minimum summer temperature varies between 47°C and 30°C, respectively. In April, temperature rises gradually but in May with a rapid increase it goes up to maximum. Hot Loo winds are prominent in this season. The westerly winds are hot and dusty, but the south-westerly winds which blow in May are a little cooler and refreshing. The occasional visit of hot-weather storms, chiefly dry dust storms is a notable characteristic of summer season. Winds are dry and have a very low percentage of humidity. The seasonal characteristics are not favourable for the tourists; as such, tourist activity is much less in this season. Many festivals like Buddha Mahotsav, Hanuman Jayanti , Ram Navami etc are celebrated in Varanasi during summer season.

Visiting Varanasi during Rainy Season (July - September): July and August are known for monsoon showers, hence the wettest months. The monotony of hot weather is abruptly replaced in July by the changing trends of falling temperature due to monsoon shower. The rain gains momentum in August and continues till September. It results in fall of temperature and reprieve from scorching heat of summer season. The humidity level spikes in this duration. In July, when south-west monsoons are strong, the eastern winds dominant. The unsteadiness in the wind direction is an important feature of this season. With the outset of rainy season, a rapid decrease in wind velocity is marked in mid-June continues up to the end of August. In September, it is practically unchanged. The relative humidity rises abruptly during this season and reaching its maximum in the month of August. Many festivals like Teej, Janmashtami, Rakshabandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi etc are celebrated in Varanasi during monsoon season.