9Β° to 22Β°
Cold & Hazy
The coldest month of the year, with persistent fog and some of the worst air quality of the year.
π§₯ Warm layersπ· Mask recommended
13Β° to 27Β°
Mild & Clearer
Noticeably milder and less foggy than January, though haze remains a real presence.
π§₯ Light layersπ· Mask recommended
17Β° to 33Β°
Warming Fast
Pleasantly warm at first, though the heat builds quickly as the month goes on.
βοΈ Sunscreenπ₯΅ Heat building
22Β° to 38Β°
Hot Season Begins
Daytime highs regularly push past 38Β°C, with oppressive heat setting in for good.
π₯΅ Heat protectionπ§ Stay hydrated
26Β° to 41Β°
Scorching
Among the hottest months of the year, with temperatures that have reached 47Β°C.
π₯΅ Extreme heatπ§ Stay hydrated
28Β° to 38Β°
Peak Heat
Nearly as hot as May, with the first monsoon showers starting to appear.
π₯΅ Extreme heatπ
Dawn outings only
27Β° to 34Β°
Monsoon Arrives
Heavy rain finally brings some relief from the heat, though humidity climbs sharply.
β Umbrella essentialπ§ Stay hydrated
27Β° to 33Β°
Deep Monsoon
The wettest month of the year, hot and humid with the heaviest rain totals.
β Heavy rain gearβ οΈ Flash-flood aware
26Β° to 33Β°
Monsoon Eases
Rain tapers off as the month goes on, still hot and humid.
β Umbrella handyπ₯΅ Still humid
22Β° to 33Β°
Sunshine Returns
Drier air makes the lingering heat more bearable, though haze starts climbing again.
βοΈ Sunscreenπ· Haze rising
16Β° to 29Β°
Comfortable but Hazy
Pleasant temperatures and plenty of sun, offset by rapidly worsening air quality as the smog season begins.
π
Dev Deepawali, dates vary each year
Varanasi's own festival of lights, held on the full moon fifteen days after Diwali, when thousands of oil lamps are lit along the ghats lining the Ganges. Falling on the Hindu lunar calendar, it usually lands in November.
π§₯ Light layersπ· Mask recommended
11Β° to 24Β°
Cold Sets In
Nearly as cold as January, with fog becoming more frequent as the month goes on.
π§₯ Warm layersπ«οΈ Fog possible
β
β
β
peak season, β
β
β decent shoulder months, β
ββ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Varanasi?›
Varanasi's monsoon season runs roughly from July through September, with August historically the wettest, averaging around 279mm of rain across 12 days.
What is the best time of year to visit Varanasi?›
Mid-November through mid-February is historically Varanasi's most comfortable stretch, dry air and pleasant days, though this is also when air pollution runs at its worst, so it's a real trade-off.
What is the least favorable time to visit Varanasi?›
May and June historically bring the most extreme heat of the year, with temperatures that have reached 47Β°C.
Which month has the most rain in Varanasi?›
August is historically the wettest month, averaging around 279mm of rain across 12 days.
Which month is the driest in Varanasi?›
April and December are historically tied as the driest months, each averaging around 5mm of rain.
How hot does Varanasi get?›
May is historically the hottest month of the year.
What should I pack for Varanasi during the rainy season?›
An umbrella is worth having from around July through September, and a mask is worth considering for haze from October through February.
Is winter air pollution a real concern in Varanasi?›
Yes. Varanasi sits in the same Indo-Gangetic plain as Delhi and Agra, and pollution historically runs worst from October to February, when stagnant conditions build up haze and smog.
Does Varanasi get foggy in winter?›
Fog can form at night and into the morning from November to January, and even after it lifts, some days stay cool and overcast with highs as low as 15Β°C.
Is there a festival in Varanasi worth planning a trip around?›
Dev Deepawali, Varanasi's own festival of lights, is held on the full moon fifteen days after Diwali, usually in November, when thousands of oil lamps are lit along the ghats lining the Ganges.