Best time to visit Bangalore

The best time to visit Bangalore is almost throughout the year. Known as the Silicon Valley of India, the city of Bangalore is a blend of history and modernity. The buzzing metropolis still retains its cultural charm and heritage. With pleasant climate most of the year, read on to find out the best time to visit Bangalore.

Winter season in Bangalore (November to February)

Winter is the best time to visit Bangalore. From October to February, the climate in Bangalore is cool and pleasant during the day, and chilly at night. The temperature ranges from 12 to 29 degrees Celsius.

It is the perfect time to explore the city and all its offerings. Visit the historical Bangalore Palace, Bull Temple, and the Tipu Sultan Summer Palace. Cubbon Park is also a great place to stroll around amidst the dense foliage. It is also the cherry blossom season, so you can see pink blossoms in Cubbon Park and the Bangalore University Campus.

The festivals of Kadalekai Parishe and Habba are celebrated in winter. Christmas and New Year also take place in this season. The city celebrates its festivals with a lot of gusto, and the atmosphere is charged during this time.

This is also the peak tourist season in Bangalore. Flights and accommodation rates will be high, so make sure to book in advance.

Carry light woollens, since the nights get especially cold. Stay hydrated at all times.

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

Summer season in Bangalore (March to May)

Summers in Bangalore have changed considerably in the past few years, owing to global warming. The city once used to be cool and pleasant even in the summer season, but today, it gets quite hot and humid in the months from March to May.

The temperatures range from 20 to 38 degrees Celsius, and the climate is hot. But every once in a while, it rains and temperatures dip significantly. So while it is not the best time to visit Bangalore, flights and accommodation are quite cheap during this time.

The changes in climate and temperature can be a bit annoying, but there is still a lot you can do in Bangalore during summer. Visit the Bandipur National Park, offering the respite of nature. The town of Dandeli offers adventure activities like river rafting in the river Kali. If that’s not your thing, you can indulge in a spa or relaxing massage to escape the heat.

The city also has many air-conditioned malls and cafes you can visit during the day. The evenings are much more tolerable for outdoor activities. 

The festivals of Karaga, as well as Ugadi, the Kannada New Year, are celebrated in summer.

Since it is not a tourist season, this is the perfect time for budget travelers to visit the city. Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen and carry light, breathable clothes. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and stay hydrated. Also carry a hat or a cap and sunglasses.

Bandipur National Park

Monsoon season in Bangalore (June to October)

Monsoon in Bangalore is pleasant. The temperature ranges from 19 to 29 degrees Celsius, and the city receives moderate to heavy rainfall. The rain showers aren’t prolonged, unless it is a thunderstorm.

Bangalore becomes even more beautiful during the rains. The lush green gardens start filling with vibrant flowers, the cool breeze is a nice distraction from the traffic, and the atmosphere is misty. It is the perfect time to go on short hikes through gorgeous trails, or get in a car and go on a long drive.

However, monsoons may mean water-logging and heavy traffic, so keep in mind that there can be delays and cancellations. The rain comes and goes as it pleases, and life in Bangalore goes on the same.

There are many things you can do even in the monsoons – check out the many cozy cafes and restaurants in the city and watch the rain while sipping on a steaming cup of chai or coffee.

It is not a bad time to visit if you don’t mind the rain – just make sure to carry an umbrella with you at all times. Also keep a raincoat with you, and try to wear layers – the rains often give way to bright sunshine the next minute.

Bangalore Palace

Events and festivals in Bangalore

Kadalekai Parishe: The festival of Kadalekai Parishe celebrates the first groundnut crop of the year. The festival is celebrated in November every year with a fair which has many stalls selling toys and trinkets, food, and different varieties of groundnuts. The Bull Temple is lit up with 10,000 lamps on this day.

Habba: Habba festival is celebrated in November or December across the city in different venues. The 10-day festival is a tribute to art, with music and dance performances, drama, and fashion show. There are many exhibitions as well, along with sports tournaments. Artists from all over the world attend this festival.

Makar Sankranti: The festival of Makar Sankranti, or Pongal, is celebrated all over Karnataka on 15 January. It marks the beginning of the harvest season. Homes are cleaned, painted, and decorated with rangolis and a bonfire is lit to burn unwanted things.

Ugadi: Ugadi is the Kannada New Year. The festival, considered to be one of the most auspicious days of the year, is celebrated in March or April. People clean and decorate their houses, draw rangolis, and prepare traditional meals.

Karaga Festival: Karaga is the oldest celebrated festival in Bangalore. Dedicated to Goddess Shakti, the nine-day festival is celebrated in March or April and features processions that start at midnight. Karaga is an earthen pot. It is believed that Goddess Shakti is invoked in the pot and it is carried on the head.

Karaga Festival in Bangalore

So, when will you be visiting Bangalore? Let us know! At India Someday, we plan personalized trips to India for you based on your likes and requirements. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!