It doesn't rain all day, but it generally rains every day. Things don't really cool down: at first hot, dry and dusty weather is simply replaced by hot, humid and muddy conditions. The main monsoon comes from the southwest, but the southeast coast (and southern Kerala) is largely affected by the short and surprisingly wet northeast monsoon, which brings rain from around October to early December. When the monsoon finally arrives the rain comes in steadily, generally starting around June 1 in the extreme south and sweeping north to cover the whole country by early July. The hot season is the time to abandon the plains and head for the cooler hills, and this is when hill stations are at their best (and busiest). Late in May the first signs of the monsoon are visible in some areas - high humidity, electrical storms, short rainstorms and dust storms that turn day into night. South India also becomes uncomfortably hot during this time. In central India temperatures of 45☌ and above are commonplace. The heat starts to build up on India's northern plains from around February, and by April or May it really hots up, peaking in June. The most pleasant time to visit most places is during the cooler period: November to around mid-February. Generally, India's climate is defined by three seasons - the hot, the wet (monsoon) and the cool, each of which can vary in duration from north to south. Keep in mind that climatic conditions in the far north are distinctly different to those of the extreme south. Travellers should remain alert wherever they travel in India, particularly in big cities and when attending large public gatherings.ĭeadly bomb attacks have occurred in Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad over the past couple of years, and political and sectarian tensions occasionally boil over into street violence.Ĭheck out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travellers.Ĭlimate plays a key factor in deciding when to visit India. There are militant groups operating sporadically in some rural areas of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa. Similar advice should also be sought before travel to Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur in northeast India. Several Indian regions are prone to occasional conflict Jammu and Kashmir (as distinct from Ladakh) are subject to political violence and travellers should seek consular advice before entering any area bordering Pakistan in Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat. Travel through these areas may still present occasional difficulties. West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were among the worst affected, with many thousands left homeless by floodwaters. The 2007 monsoon season caused severe flooding in several parts of the country. India is a litmus test for many travellers - some are only too happy to leave, while others stay for a lifetime. Nothing in this country is ever quite predictable the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you. India will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity - but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth, and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion for it.