The short answer
- Month
- March
- Verdict
- Very good
- North (Delhi, Rajasthan)
- Warming up, 30 to 33°C by the end of the month
- South (Kerala, Goa)
- Hot and humid, around 33°C
- Crowds and prices
- Moderate
March is the last of the comfortable months on the northern plains. The first half is warm and pleasant; by the end of the month afternoons are hot.
Holi falls in March in 2027, and it is a wonderful, chaotic reason to be in India.
Where to go in March
- Mathura and Vrindavan: The most famous Holi celebrations, an hour from Agra.
- Golden Triangle and Rajasthan: Still good, especially early in the month.
- Tiger reserves: The start of the best season for sightings as the forest thins.
- Darjeeling and Sikkim: Spring is arriving in the eastern Himalaya.
What to avoid in March
- The desert around Jaisalmer late in the month, when it gets hot.
- Kerala's beaches if you dislike humidity.
Festivals in March
- Holi (22 March 2027): Coloured powder, music and street parties, with bonfires the night before. See our Holi guide.
Weather in March
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with March 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 March
Our suggestion for March: Delhi, Agra (for Holi in Mathura), Ranthambore and Jaipur. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates.
Tip: Shops and transport may close on the morning of Holi. Plan a day without long drives.
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Other months
Thinking about February or April? See India in February and India in April, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit India.
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Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time to visit India?
Yes, especially the first half. It is warm and dry, Holi falls in March in 2027, and tiger sightings start to peak.
When is Holi in 2027?
Holi is on 22 March 2027, with Holika Dahan bonfires on the evening of 21 March.
Sources we checked
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