Monsoons in India - Temperature, Climate, Best Places to Visit and More

Monsoons in India are a season of aesthetic grace - the beauty of pattering raindrops on your windowpane, the joy of unfolding a colourful umbrella and embarking on a journey to get lost in the glorious destinations. Monsoon in India occur during the months of June to September and accentuate the country’s natural beauty as every nook and corner showcases bountiful nature and pollution-free, rustic environment. In contrast to common misconception, Indian monsoons don’t force you to stay locked indoors. It is one of the most remarkable seasons to explore the length and breadth of the diverse subcontinent. 

Every part of the country receives different quantities of rainfall at different times of the year, allowing the regions to adopt ambient and unique geographical splendour. India’s monsoons can be broadly classified into the winter rains of Northeast India and the post-summer monsoon of Southwest India. The pleasant climate and romantic atmosphere make India an idyllic holiday destination during this season, with great locations for those who love the rain and even for those who might not.

1. Monsoons in Northeast India - Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland and Assam 

• Time of the Year - October to December
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Brahmaputra River, Guwahati
2. Loktak Lake, Manipur
3. Japfu Peak, Nagaland
4. Dibrugarh, Assam

East Indian states consist of hill stations overlooked by the Himalayas, known as the shadow of the mountains. Compared to the rest of the country, they receive moderate rainfall in the months of early winter. You could enjoy exhilarating cruises on the untamed river and terrain of Brahmaputra valley, sightseeing at historical temples of Guwahati and boating on the placid Loktak Lake. Japfu Peak in Kohima looks onto a culture-rich village at Dzukou Valley. Around November, Dibrugarh is full of beautiful, cross-continental migratory birds.

2. Southwest Monsoons in Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Gujarat and Rajasthan

• Time of the Year - July to September
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Thar Desert, Rajasthan
2. Gir National Park, Gujarat
3. Alleppey, Kerala
4. Coorg, Karnataka

Southwest monsoons in India are known as the Earth’s most productive wet season. It hits Andaman and Nicobar Islands as early as the first week of July, followed by the Malabar Coast of Kerala. During this 4-month period, hill stations in the south are clad in spectacular green forests and raging waterfalls to explore. Often mistaken for a dry region, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the west also receive light rainfall which creates a welcoming retreat with cool temperatures. Most of the desert and hilly areas begin to bloom and grow exquisite native flora.

3. Monsoon in the Southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and inland Tamil Nadu

• Time of the Year - July to September
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Wayanad, Kerala
2. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
3. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 

On an average, South India receives more rainfall than the North. Boasting of endless coffee and tea plantations, mountainous forests of Kerala and vivacious hill-bound beaches of Visakhapatnam, South India’s exotic locations are preferred by tourists to exclusively enjoy the rain and adventure activities like trekking and wildlife safaris. The Kaveri, Godavari and Krishna rivers receive their sole water supply from the rains and are a hub of boating, rafting and glamorous campsites. 

4. Western Drizzles at Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Daman and Diu

• Time of the Year - June to August
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
2. Khadakwasla Dam and Aga Khan Palace, Maharashtra
3. St. Jerome Fort and Jampore Beach, Daman
4. Hawa Mahal, Rajasthan

Western India has a tropical wet and semi-arid climate. Steady rainfall in Pune nourishes beaches, rivers and stretches of agricultural fields. Speaking of the wet coastal charm of monsoon in India, nothing beats Daman and Diu with its upscale beaches and pulsating crowds celebrating Nariyal Purnima festival. Monsoon is an excellent season to visit places in Rajasthan and Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Mount Abu, all of which are best enjoyed when cooled by the lush wet rains. 

5. Monsoons in East India - Lush Rains in West Bengal and Meghalaya

• Time of the Year - June to September
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
2. Digha and Bakkhali, West Bengal
3. Elephant Falls, Shillong
4. Sunderbans, West Bengal

Meghalaya has the world’s top two rainiest towns – Mawsynram and Cherrapunji. The capital city of Shillong also receives a great deal of rainfall during mid-year monsoons. West Bengal is one of the most ideal monsoon tourism locations in India. Its southern tip, Bakkhali, has a tranquil beach and polished resorts offering delicious seafood. The pride of Bengal is Sunderban, the world's largest delta where dense mangrove forests open to the Bay of Bengal. While staying at a treehouse resort here, you might spot an endangered royal Bengal tiger or two.

6. Northern Himalayan Monsoon- Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Tourism 

• Time of the Year - July and August
• Best Places to Visit - 

1. Roopkund Glacial Lake, Uttarakhand
2. Manali and Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
3. Nanda Devi National Park, Uttarakhand

Monsoons in India reach Uttarakhand in early July and travel further to Himachal Pradesh. This makes July and August the best time to visit the Himalayas, sweetened with sun and awash with hilltop lakes. The high-altitude regions of Roopkund, Rupin and Kuari Pass, Bhrigu Lake and Buran Ghati are pieces of heaven on earth for trekking lovers. As the elevation increases, there are transitional changes in vegetation and entire landscapes from subtropical plainland greenery to misty alpine glaciers. 

Best Places to Visit During Monsoons in India

• Cherrapunji – Popularly known as “Scotland of East”, Cherrapunji is a small hill station in Meghalaya which receives the highest quantity of rainfall in the world. Mawkdok Dympep Valley dominates the region’s dramatic beauty. Plunging from dense forests, the surrounding Kynrem waterfall offers exotic campsites. Mawsmai Cave in the south of town shows stalagmites formed over centuries.

• Valley of Flowers – Uttarakhand’s monsoon is best enjoyed at the sprawling Valley of Flowers, which houses over 400 varieties of vibrant and rare flora across 8,750 hectares of land amidst lofty green hills. For a rewarding monsoon experience, stock up on camping essentials and prepare to trek along acres of magnificent flowers extending till the valley-bound horizons. 

• Lonavala – Western Ghats is a green paradise with picturesque forests, voluptuous rivers and towering waterfalls. Soaked in the downpour of Sahyadri Mountains, Lonavala near Pune is a hotspot for tourism and trekking during monsoons in India. Bhushi Dam is a major attraction, alongside shimmering lakes like Pawna and Tungarli. Settled amidst coffee plantations, Tikona and Rajmachi Forts are two of India’s oldest historical sites.

• Munnar – This hill station is the prime tea-growing estate of Western ghats in God’s Own Country, Kerala. The town has a rich heritage of plantations, embodied in the Tea Museum and Tea Gardens. While driving or trekking through the clouds atop the Wonder Valley, you would meet a plunging waterfall after every few miles. Echo Point is another popular tourist spot during monsoon in India for its panoramic views and creative treehouse hotels.

• Sonamarg - While rains are an obvious phenomenon in monsoon, snow is not hard to find either. Sonamarg in Kashmir, the gateway to the ancient Silk Road, is one of the most popular snow-clad valleys where you can find a thick layer even in August. Zoji La mountain pass, located at a startling elevation of 3,528 metres in Drass is the highest motorable road in the world. 

How to Travel in the Rainy Season?

While you explore the exotic climate and spellbinding natural vistas during monsoons in India, here are some tips to make your journey and itinerary smooth: -

1. Check the right deals: Many resorts provide amazing discounts on bookings and tour arrangements during the months of June to October. Also called off-season deals, these offers reduce your budget considerably without compromising quality. You can find ideal comparisons online at holidify.com. 

2. Pack dry items: If you would like to get out and about in the rains, it is important to waterproof your belongings with zip locks and carry umbrellas or raincoats. While preparing for a trek, bring insect repellents, tents, food items and ample water.

3. Don’t let delays lower your spirits: If you are travelling by trains or flights, delays in monsoon are a common mishap. Remember to stock up on essentials for such situations involving long waiting hours. Undeniably, good things come to those who wait for it!

4. Enjoy water sports: The best way to spend monsoon in India is to take part in the splendid seasonal adventures the subcontinent offers. River and white-water rafting, boating, cruising, trekking, hiking, wildlife safaris and even staying the night on a cosy houseboat can contribute to your experience which you might not find as robustly active during other seasons.

For your next staycation, monsoons in India welcome you with bliss, enchanting vistas and the unforgettable smell of wet and wondrous Earth. So, visit your favourite places and if you have more queries, tell us in the comments below.