Best Time To Visit Varanasi

With an average temperature that stays within 5 degree Celsius and 15 degree Celsius approximately, the best time to visit Varanasi is in Winter between November and February. A perfect time for taking strolls, sightseeing, and exploring the city beyond what meets the tourist’s eye, the winter season is accompanied with colourful flowers in full bloom and lush green vegetation. The calm breeze brushing past you in the evening is a perfect time to relax by the holy river with a cup of piping hot tea. You can also set out for an early morning boat ride on the river and see the sunrise in all its glittering glory. Make sure to take a walk across the massive campus of the Banaras Hindu University, head out to seek some blessings from the divine being at Durga Temple, New Vishwanath Temple, Batuk Bhairav Temple, and ISKCON Temple. Another ethereal experience that you should not miss at this time is the majestic Ganga Aarti which takes place in the evening and lights the entire riverbank with a soft, golden light that emits from the oil lamps. Red, yellow, pink, and vermillion flowers adorn the river, and the air reverberates with the mingled melody of conches, bells and gongs, along with the chants of the pundits. The fragrance of incense rises in the air and mixes with the scent of the floating flowers, thus making it a surreal place to be at.

In spite of the torrential rainfall hampering the tourism and travel, Varanasi receives large masses of visitors during the monsoon as well. Marked by the frequent downpour in July, this season lasts till the second week of October. The average temperature more or less stays between 25 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius, thus bringing a welcome respite from the heat. The level of the Ganges rises above the usual, thus alluring more people to the ghats, who sit there and take in the mesmerising sight. However, be careful while at the riverside, since layers of algae accumulate on the steps and pair with the water to make the path slippery and dangerous. Watching the Ganga during the peak of the monsoon is also a thrilling experience. 

Summer in Varanasi lasts from March till the end of June, where April and May are the hottest months. Not unlike any region in the northern part of the country, summer in Varanasi is characterised by weather that is devoid of humidity, with the sun blazing throughout the day, thus making the mercury level rise as high as up to 45 degree Celsius. The average temperature rarely falls below 30 degree Celsius, even though the areas at and around the Ghats are preferably cooler. Before planning a trip here during summer, keep in mind that going outdoors for any activity is tough. The hot, dry wind blowing across the region in the afternoons make it more challenging to be able to bear the extreme climatic conditions. The auspicious Mahashivratri falls in February which is a festival to behold. If you are visiting this place during these months, make sure to relax by the pleasant riverside and take in the breeze at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, and Kedar Ghat. Also, make sure to try out the delicious lassi which Varanasi is famed for.