You may think that you can visit Varanasi at any season and at any time. But do you know that if you visit Varanasi at a certain season, then you will get the best experience of Varanasi? Some seasons have such pleasant weather that you will have an excellent time visiting temples and ghats. You will enjoy the sightseeing experience in Varanasi at these times. Our Varanasi Travel Guide 2026 will give you more details about these sightseeing places in Varanasi Kashi. It will be a joy to do most outdoor activities in Varanasi in some seasons. Therefore, it is vital that you pick the right season to visit Varanasi. So, what is the best time to visit Kashi depends on what season you are choosing to visit Varanasi.
Snapshot of the Best time to visit Varanasi
The quick answer to what is the best time to go to Varanasi is from October to March. The daytime temperatures are cooler in these months. This is the wintertime in Varanasi, and the weather is pleasant for doing most outdoor things. You can go on boat rides, visit temples and ghats, participate in the Ganga Aarti, and explore the markets comfortably. The winter season is also the time when most festivals are celebrated in Varanasi. Deepavali is one such festival where devotees light thousands of lamps and illuminate the ghats and their homes. You can get to taste many sweets and namkeen snacks during this time in Varanasi.
Varanasi Weather Breakdown Month-wise
January – Peak of cold season
January is the month when you will feel mornings cold and chilly in Varanasi. The daytime temperature is an average of 23 degrees Celsius. Nights can be cold, and temperatures may drop down to 7 degrees Celsius. You will notice fog and mist on the river ghats. You can get dreamy landscapes on the ghats, which are best for photography.
February – Pleasant weather and comfortable sightseeing
The most comfortable month for travel in Varanasi is February. The weather is very pleasant, and if you are visiting Varanasi for the first time, then you will find it very pleasing. Crowds can be high at this time but easy to manage. Temperatures can be in the range of 10 to 24 degrees Celsius.
March – Summer season starts
The summer season starts in Varanasi in the month of March. It may still be pleasant, and mornings can be cool. As March progresses in the latter weeks, you will begin to feel the warmth of the sun. Daytime temperatures can touch 30 degrees Celsius, and at night it can be 15 degrees Celsius.
April to June – Hot season peaks
The summer season peaks in Varanasi during the period of April to June. The summer heat is scorching and days are hot. Temperatures during the day can touch 38 degrees Celsius. In this kind of weather, you will feel the heat of the sun outdoors. Even nighttime temperatures are around 22 degrees Celsius. The worst thing about this period is that heat waves can strike anyone and dry winds blow.
July to September – Monsoon Season starts
The monsoon season in Varanasi starts from July to September. Temperatures cool down, and rains start to fall. There is a rise in the level of water in the rivers. Rains can be unpredictable, and sometimes torrential rains lead to flooding and accumulation of water. This is the wettest season of the year. Temperatures can be in the range of 26 degrees to 34 degrees Celsius.
October – Onset of Peak season
The month of October is like a shoulder season in Varanasi. It is the beginning of the peak season, and the influx of tourists is just beginning in Varanasi. The weather improves, and people get relief from the scorching heat of the sun. Days are sunny, and the temperatures cool down to 31 degrees Celsius during the day. Crowds are thinner, and this is the best time to explore Varanasi.
November – Best season for festivals
The month of November brings festivals in Varanasi. The weather is pleasant and dry. Sightseeing around Varanasi is comfortable. Daytime temperatures can be 29 degrees Celsius and temperatures at night can drop to 15 degrees Celsius. Festivals like Deepavali bring festive joy to Varanasi.
December – Cold season in Varanasi
You may wake up to foggy river banks during December time in Varanasi. This is the cold season, and winter has arrived in Varanasi. Crowds may increase, and it is the best time to do sightseeing and outdoor activities like shopping, boating in Varanasi, temple visits, and daytime excursions.
Best Season to visit Varanasi
Summer Season in Varanasi (March to June)
March to June is the summer season in Varanasi. Temperatures in the day can be 40 degrees Celsius. You will feel the heat of the sun, and the scorching temperatures can be uncomfortable. Heat waves and hot loo winds can blow across Varanasi at this time and strike people. It is advisable to stay indoors at this time and not travel too much in the afternoon. But you can continue to visit temples and do sightseeing at an appropriate time of the day, like evening and early mornings. Go for sunrise boat rides on the Ganges River.
Monsoon Season in Varanasi (July to September)
In Varanasi, the monsoon season starts from July to September. There is heavy to very heavy rainfall in Varanasi during this time. Sometimes, during excessive rainfall, the river banks can overflow onto the roads and cause waterlogging and flooding. This is not a good time to go for boat rides in Varanasi. There may be strong undercurrents in the river, and people should be cautious of going near the river. But the positive side of monsoon rains is that temperatures cool down and there is greenery in the landscape. Crowds are lesser, and you will have to carry an umbrella and wear a raincoat if you are visiting Varanasi during this time.
Winter Season in Varanasi (October to February)
The best season to visit Varanasi is the winter season. This is the time when the days are cooler and nighttime temperatures are cold. They can range from 5 degrees to 20 degrees Celsius. The river ghats are covered in a blanket of mist, and you can experience foggy mornings. Morning time is best for Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. You can have the best experience of winter at Assi Ghat, where you can take part in Yoga sessions and guided meditation. You will enjoy boating on the Ganges River during this time. Major festivals happen during this time, like Deepavali. River ghats are illuminated with a thousand lamps and diyas.
Festival times to visit Varanasi
Varanasi celebrates its festivals in a great festive atmosphere. Diwali and Dev Deepavali come around in October-November, and people illuminate the ghats in Varanasi with lighted diyas and candles. Some of the festivals that are celebrated in Varanasi are Dev Deepavali (November), Mahashivratri (February) and Holi (March).
Best time to visit Varanasi for travel interests
- For first-time tourists: November to February
- Budget Travellers: July to September
- For enjoying festivals: November, late February/ March, Holi
- Spiritual travellers: October to November and February
- Photographers: November to December and August to September.
Worst time to visit Varanasi
You should not visit Varanasi between April and June. This is clearly the season when you will feel the hot, scorching sun while traveling. Temperatures can touch 40 degrees Celsius. There is a risk of getting sunstrokes and hot loo winds blowing. Similarly, the middle weeks of July to August are rainy days when rainfall can disrupt your travel plans. The ghats are prone to flooding, and water can accumulate in many areas.
Tips for visiting Varanasi
- You should book hotels/ home stays in advance if you are planning to visit Varanasi in wintertime.
- You should do most outdoor activities in Varanasi during the morning and evening.
- Confirm festival times and dates and book the hotel in Varanasi at least 3-4 weeks in advance.
- Check the river boating status during monsoon time.
- Choose winter for family trips to Varanasi as you can easily visit temples, do boating, and attend Ganga Aarti in the evening.
- Dev Deepavali is best if you want to see illuminated lamps and lighted diyas in the ghats.
- You should try Malaiyo, which is a sweet and frothy winter dessert made of milk.
- Budget season is from April to June, and hotel rates are lower at this time.
- Monsoon time is best for cultural trips and photography.
FAQ
Which is the less crowded season in Varanasi?
In April to June, you may see fewer crowds in Varanasi.
What is the duration of VIP darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
VIP darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple is 20 to 45 minutes long.
Which areas in Varanasi are posh and rich?
The areas in Banaras which are considered to be rich and posh are the Nadesar and Cantonment (Cantt) Area.
Which festival is considered the biggest in Varanasi?
Dev Deepavali is considered the biggest festival in Varanasi.
Are 2 days sufficient to visit Varanasi?
Yes, you can make a 2-day trip plan for Varanasi and visit the major places.
Final Thoughts
If you want to have the best experience of Varanasi, then it is important that you visit Varanasi in the best season. You should be aware of the different seasons in Varanasi and choose the best season for your trip. While winter is the best time to visit Varanasi, you can plan a budget trip in September and October. For people with a cheaper travel budget, April to June may be a good time to visit Varanasi. You may skip July and August as there is heavy rainfall during this time. Varanasi turns into one of the most festive cities during October-November and February. You will see all the colors of festivals at this time and experience divine spiritualism in Varanasi.