The short answer
- Month
- January
- Verdict
- Excellent
- North (Delhi, Rajasthan)
- Sunny days around 20 to 22°C; cold, foggy mornings
- South (Kerala, Goa)
- Warm and dry, around 30 to 32°C
- Crowds and prices
- Busy in the first week, then calmer
January is one of the best months to visit India. Skies are clear across almost the whole country, the heat of summer is months away and the monsoon is long gone.
The north is cooler than many visitors expect. Days in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are pleasant, but early mornings and nights are cold, and thick fog can delay trains and flights, especially in the first half of the month.
Where to go in January
- Rajasthan: Comfortable days for forts, palaces and desert camps. Bring warm layers for nights in the Thar.
- The Golden Triangle: Crisp, clear afternoons at the Taj Mahal, though sunrise can be misty.
- Kerala and Goa: Peak beach and backwater season, warm and dry.
- Tiger reserves: Green forest and cool drives. Sightings are good, though not at their peak.
What to avoid in January
- Ladakh and the high Himalaya, which are deep in winter.
- Tight connections in the north early in the month, when fog causes delays.
Festivals in January
- Republic Day (26 January): A grand military and cultural parade along Kartavya Path in Delhi.
- Jaipur Literature Festival: Usually held in late January, one of the world's biggest free literary festivals.
- Pongal and Makar Sankranti (mid January): Harvest festivals, with kite flying across Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Weather in January
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with January highlighted. Compare it with the months either side if your dates are flexible.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | DelhiAgra is similar | Jaipurmost of Rajasthan | Varanasi | KochiKerala coast | Goa | LehLadakh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20° / 8°19 mm | 22° / 8°8 mm | 23° / 9°18 mm | 32° / 23°20 mm | 32° / 20°1 mm | -2° / -14°10 mm |
| Feb | 24° / 11°21 mm | 26° / 11°7 mm | 27° / 12°18 mm | 32° / 24°25 mm | 32° / 21°0 mm | 1° / -12°8 mm |
| Mar | 30° / 15°17 mm | 32° / 16°4 mm | 33° / 17°9 mm | 33° / 25°40 mm | 32° / 23°1 mm | 6° / -6°10 mm |
| Apr | 36° / 21°16 mm | 37° / 22°5 mm | 39° / 22°6 mm | 33° / 26°130 mm | 33° / 25°10 mm | 12° / -1°7 mm |
| May | 40° / 26°30 mm | 40° / 26°15 mm | 40° / 26°15 mm | 32° / 26°330 mm | 33° / 27°100 mm | 17° / 3°7 mm |
| Jun | 39° / 28°74 mm | 39° / 27°60 mm | 38° / 28°105 mm | 29° / 24°750 mm | 30° / 25°900 mm | 22° / 7°4 mm |
| Jul | 35° / 28°210 mm | 34° / 26°190 mm | 33° / 27°290 mm | 29° / 24°600 mm | 29° / 24°1000 mm | 25° / 11°15 mm |
| Aug | 34° / 27°225 mm | 32° / 25°200 mm | 32° / 26°300 mm | 29° / 24°380 mm | 29° / 24°600 mm | 24° / 10°15 mm |
| Sep | 34° / 25°125 mm | 33° / 24°80 mm | 32° / 25°230 mm | 30° / 24°300 mm | 30° / 24°270 mm | 21° / 6°9 mm |
| Oct | 33° / 19°15 mm | 33° / 19°15 mm | 32° / 21°40 mm | 30° / 24°340 mm | 32° / 24°120 mm | 14° / -1°4 mm |
| Nov | 28° / 13°6 mm | 29° / 13°4 mm | 29° / 14°10 mm | 31° / 24°170 mm | 33° / 23°30 mm | 7° / -7°3 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 9°8 mm | 24° / 9°3 mm | 25° / 10°5 mm | 32° / 23°40 mm | 33° / 21°5 mm | 1° / -11°5 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 8 day trip for January
Our suggestion for January: Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore and Jaipur. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates.
Tip: Plan the Taj Mahal for the second morning in Agra rather than the first. If fog hides it at sunrise, you get another chance.
Want a January trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 8 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about December or February? See India in December and India in February, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit India.
Rather have a trip to India made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit India?
Yes. It is one of the best months: dry and sunny almost everywhere, with cool days in the north and warm beach weather in the south.
How cold is India in January?
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur reach around 20 to 22°C by day but can drop to 5 to 8°C at night. Kerala and Goa stay warm, around 30°C.
Sources we checked
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