About Varanasi
Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, is the spiritual heart of India. For thousands of years, pilgrims have come to bathe in the sacred Ganges and perform rituals at its ghats. The evening Ganga Aarti ceremony creates an atmosphere of profound spirituality.
Quick Facts
Population
1,200,000
Area (km²)
82 km²
Sunny Days/Year
250 days
Museums
12
Historic Sites
84
Avg. Temperature
26°C
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Daylight, UV and air quality in Varanasi
Live conditions, updated continuously — sun times calculated for this exact location.
- Sunrise
- 06:17
- Sunset
- 18:29
- Golden hour
- 17:58
- Blue hour
- 18:52
Sources: Open-Meteo and our own solar calculations
Climate in Varanasi month by month
Long-term averages 1991–2020 — what the weather is normally like, not a forecast.
Best time to go
November – February
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 22° | 26° | 32° | 38° | 40° | 37° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 28° | 24° |
| Night | 10° | 13° | 18° | 23° | 27° | 28° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 21° | 16° | 11° |
| Precipitation (mm) | 17 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 141 | 291 | 251 | 167 | 39 | 6 | 6 |
| Rain days (days) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 25 | 24 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Sunshine (h/day) | 10.1 | 10.6 | 11 | 12.1 | 12.7 | 10.7 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.8 | 10.3 | 10.2 | 10 |
| Colour shows how well the month suits a trip |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis, 1991–2020
Chance of rain in Varanasi month by month
How often it normally rains — share of days with at least 1 mm, averaged over 1991–2020.
Driest period
October – May
Driest month
November · 2%
Wettest month
July · 80%
Chance of rain
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain probability | 8% | 8% | 7% | 7% | 10% | 43% | 80% | 79% | 60% | 14% | 2% | 3% |
Rain days per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain days (days) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 25 | 24 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis, 1991–2020
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Varanasi is from October to March when temperatures are comfortable for exploring the ghats and temples. November is ideal for witnessing Dev Deepawali festival. Early mornings are perfect for Ganges boat rides. Avoid May-June's extreme heat (45°C+) and the heavy monsoon rains of July-August.
Climate Overview
Varanasi has a humid subtropical climate influenced by its location on the Ganges River. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching 45°C. The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall and occasional flooding. Winters are cool and foggy, with temperatures dropping to 5°C at night. The Ganges adds to humidity levels year-round.
Monthly Weather Overview
| Month | High °CMax | Low °CMin | Rain mmmm |
|---|---|---|---|
January | 23° | 9° | 15 |
February | 27° | 11° | 12 |
March | 34° | 17° | 8 |
April | 40° | 23° | 5 |
May | 43° | 28° | 15 |
June | 40° | 29° | 85 |
July | 34° | 27° | 290 |
August | 33° | 26° | 285 |
September | 33° | 25° | 180 |
October | 33° | 20° | 25 |
November | 29° | 13° | 8 |
December | 24° | 9° | 5 |
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Where to stay in Varanasi
An interactive map of hotels and apartments in Varanasi, from our partner Stay22.
Weather in Varanasi
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Things to do in Varanasi
Tours and activities in Varanasi, from our partner GetYourGuide.
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Travel businesses that pay to be visible here.
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