The oldest living city in the world, Varanasi or Banaras, is a place of wonder with a vast array of things to offer its visitors. That may be the reason why so many people visit this location regularly. The city of Varanasi today maintains its old-world charm with its ghats and temples. It would give you a different vibe while you walk past the narrow lanes or Gallis in Varanasi. With the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and so many other temples, Varanasi is also one of the major tourist spots and a significant site of pilgrimage. Moreover, the vast number of ghats is another major attraction here. But if you are planning a trip to Varanasi, there are certain things you need to know, and first and foremost, what you need to know is the best time to visit Varanasi.
Every location you will ever visit has something special, and you can only enjoy the best when you see there during the ideal time. Here, there is also the best time to visit Varanasi, India, when you can enjoy the best of the location. The mesmerizing views that Varanasi offers are enough to attract your attention. At each corner, the city would feel like a living picture that you would feel like capturing in your memories forever. If you are visiting Varanasi, you need to read this article to know the best time to visit. This will be helpful if you plan a trip to this iconic location.
Best time to Visit Varanasi
What is the best time to visit Varanasi, and what can you expect there?
The ideal time to visit the city of Varanasi is the winter months. During the colder months, the weather of Varanasi is perfect for a visit, and you can enjoy a comfortable stay. Summers are usually sweltering and humid in Varanasi. A lot about visiting Varanasi would be exploring the outdoor ghats and temples. So it would be best to avoid a visit during the summer. Monsoons in Varanasi look alluring with the downpours, attracting visitors. You should plan a trip to Varanasi based on weather, personal preference, and what each season offers; now, we will discuss each season in Varanasi and what it brings.
Varanasi in Winter (October to March )
The best time to visit Varanasi is during the winter season, from October to March. During winter, the temperature of Varanasi ranges between 5 degrees to 15 degrees, which is the most pleasant for a visit. Winter is the best time to visit here for all sorts of activities, from sightseeing to taking a long walk along the narrow alleys, visiting the ghats, or savouring the delicious food. Varanasi looks splendid in winter, with colourful blooms and lush greenery. The misty mornings or sunny afternoons are perfect for exploring this ancient city. You can explore Varanasi best on foot, so the weather remains comfortable and favourable during this time.
You will feel the cool breeze as you walk on the streets or sit at the Ghat. Sipping on some hot piping tea while sitting on the ghats watching the tranquil holy river would be one of the most captivating experiences. Also, you can enjoy an early morning boat ride here to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. Visit destinations like the Banaras Hindu University Campus, New Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Batuk Bhairav Temple, and ISKCON Temple.
This can be the best time to visit Varanasi temple as many festivities happen around this time. The temples are basked in the glory of festivals, and many devotees visit them during this time. Festivals like Dussehra, Diwali and Bharat Milap attract the most people here. Also, the Ganga Mahotsav is another significant festival in November. It is a much popular annual event in Varanasi. People from all over the world visit Varanasi during this time to pay homage to Goddess Ganga.
One of the experiences that you should undoubtedly take advantage of here is visiting the majestic ghats. And especially the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, which you should take advantage of. For photographers, this can be the best time to visit Varanasi for photography. You will be able to capture some breathtaking pictures of Ganga Aarti, which will forever be etched in your memory. Overall, Varanasi is a colourful city, both visually and culturally. So you will be able to enjoy the many colours of the town the best during this particular time. The orange-based sunrise, misty cool mornings, bustling afternoons, calm sunsets, alluring aartis and nights will win over your heart. So you can plan your visit to Varanasi while considering all of these.
Varanasi in Monsoon ( July to September)
Even though the area of Varanasi does receive heavy to moderate rainfall, it still attracts a significant chunk of the crowd. Visiting Varanasi during monsoon season can be a hit or miss as there are pros and cons to staying here. The temperature in Varanasi during the monsoon remains within 25 to 30 degrees. Also, the frequent downpours bring relief from the scorching summers, so the weather is favourable mainly during this time. The Ganga River’s level also rises substantially during the monsoon season, and the increased water level looks beautiful. It is an incredible sight to enjoy looking at the river as it rains. This weather is also the best time to visit Varanasi for photography. Photographers find the beauty of monsoon too alluring in Varanasi. Therefore, a chunk of photographers visit here during this season.
However, there are some cons to visiting here during monsoon season. Even though it will be a unique, thrilling experience to enjoy the beauty of Varanasi during the monsoon season, few activities can be restricted. The unannounced downpour can dampen your travel spirits. Strolling around or exploring the city with the rainfall would be a hassle. Also, if the rainfall is too heavy, boat rides on the river will be halted for safety reasons. So, even visiting Varanasi during this time, you must consider all of these.
Also, be careful while you visit the ghats. The stairs can be too slippery due to water clogging, rainfall, and a layer of algae that accumulates here. So you must be cautious while taking steps. This is not the best time to visit Varanasi anyway. But if you want to see the beauty of this location during the monsoon, you can plan a visit during this time.
Varanasi in Summer ( March to June)
Summer is from March to June in Varanasi. The beginning of March is pleasant, and you can plan a visit here. Also, the auspicious Maha Shivaratri festival happens in March, attracting many devotees. From mid-April, however, the temperature starts peaking up. During the peak summers, the temperature goes up to even 45 degrees Celsius, which is very hot. The humidity here is comparatively low, unlike summers in other regions. But still, it is very sultry and hot. The average temperature ranges between 30 and 45 degrees, with occasional thunderstorm activities.
This is not the best time to visit Varanasi during the summer months. Exploring the city and indulging in outdoor activities would be too harsh during the daytime with the Loo during this time. However, this can be an excellent time to visit here for people travelling on a low budget and for low-priced deals in hotels and accommodation. But remember that activities during the day would be restricted due to the hot wind blowing. Evenings can be comparatively more relaxed, especially around the ghats. The evenings are the best time to visit Varanasi Ghats. You can enjoy some cool evening breezes while watching the Ganga aarti.
This period is also a time when the crowd in Varanasi thins down. So you can visit the temples and ghats with fewer crowds now. The rituals and poojas here continue at their average pace throughout the year. So if you wish to avoid crowds, this time is ideal for a visit here. You can also sip on some famous Lassi in Varanasi, which is like a halt during the summer. This is the time you should avoid visiting here to avoid the extreme heat. So plan your visit accordingly.
Wrapping Up!
Before planning a visit to any location, knowing the ideal time to visit is super important. Only then will you be able to enjoy the place to its fullest? If you are visiting during the perfect time, you can enjoy it even more. So, if you are planning a visit to Varanasi, you must know the best time. I have mentioned the best time to visit Varanasi in this article.
Along with that, I have also mentioned when is not the best time to visit Varanasi. It also depends on what you expect from a particular location. So, it would help if you planned according to your expectations and preferences.
In this article, I have precisely mentioned when would be ideal to visit this location. Moreover, I have discussed separately the pros and cons of each season and their specialities. This will be a helpful read for you when planning a trip to this particular location. Remember to let me know when you are planning to visit Varanasi.
This period is also a time when the crowd in Varanasi thins down. So you can visit the temples and ghats with fewer crowds now. The rituals and poojas here continue at their average pace throughout the year. So if you wish to avoid crowds, this time is ideal for a visit here. You can also sip on some famous Lassi in Varanasi, which is like a halt during the summer. This is the time you should avoid visiting here to avoid the extreme heat. So plan your visit accordingly.
