Best time to visit Karnataka

The best time to visit Karnataka depends on the experiences you want on your trip. With hills, valleys, beaches, lakes, forests, plantations, hill stations, temples, and ruins, the state of Karnataka in South India is a year-round destination with so much to offer to tourists and travelers. Read this article to find out the best time to visit Karnataka.

Best time to visit Karnataka

Ideally, October to March is the best season to visit Karnataka. The winter season hits from November. The cool, pleasant weather is great for sightseeing and exploration, plus there are many grand festivals you can enjoy in winter. You can also indulge in activities like river rafting, nature walks, wildlife safaris, or cycling. This is also the peak season for tourism in the state, so you will find more crowds at the major attractions.

Usually, summer is an off-season for tourism in Karnataka owing to the intense heat, but the hill stations of the state are the perfect escape. Since it is not a tourist season, you can get discounts on tickets and accommodations. Plus, there are fewer crowds. You can enjoy a nice staycation by the pristine beaches on the coastal regions or amidst the hills in the Western Ghats.

Monsoons in South India are also not favored much by tourists because of the heavy rains, but if you don’t mind the rains, the monsoon season is one of the most beautiful times to witness the natural beauty of Karnataka. Plus, the rainfall differs from one region to another, and some regions get less rainfall than others. It is the perfect time to visit the misty hill stations or see the cascading waterfalls of the state.

Mysore Palace

Winter season in Karnataka (October to February)

Winter in Karnataka is the best season to visit the beautiful state. The average temperature ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius in the low-lying areas and 10 to 20 degrees Celsius in the hills. It is the perfect time to explore everything Karnataka has to offer.

The cooler temperatures are a good time to go trekking through the Western Ghats, explore the ancient temples and historical sites of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mysore Palace in south central Karnataka, or visit Coorg and its beautiful hills. The IT city, Bangalore, has beautiful parks like Lalbagh and Cubbon Park which have exotic flora and native plants, along with many cafes and restaurants to unwind.

You can experience wildlife safaris or bird watching at wildlife sanctuaries like Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park during winter. It is also a good time to visit the coastal regions of Gokarna, Malpe, or Mangalore. If you love adventure, you can indulge in water sports like swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

If you are a history buff, you can visit the historic sites of Aihole, Pattadakal, Hubli, and Badami in North Central Karnataka.

However, winter is the peak tourist season in Karnataka, so you may encounter crowds at popular tourist attractions. If you don’t mind the cold, you can also visit hill stations in Karnataka to escape to a relatively quieter vacation.

The festivals of Dussehra, Pongal,and Makar Sankranti are celebrated in the winter season. Dance festivals like the Pattadakal Dance Festival and the Hoysala Dance Festival are also celebrated during this time in January.

Best places to visit in winter in Karnataka

Bangalore, Hampi, Coorg, Mysore, Gokarna, coastal plains

Hampi

Summer season in Karnataka (March to June)

The summer season in Karnataka can be intense. The average temperature starts rising in March, with some regions heating up to 40 degrees Celsius. The northern plains of Karnataka become quite hot, while the coastal areas have a moderate summer. But it is not a very good time to explore the state. It is almost impossible to enjoy sightseeing with the scorching heat.

However, if you do decide to visit the state in summer, you can travel to the beautiful hill stations of Karnataka, like Coorg, Chikmagalur, and Kudremukh. The temperatures here remain between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. You can visit the coffee plantations and spectacular waterfalls in Coorg and Chikmagalur.

Bangalore is also comparatively cooler since it is located on an elevation. The city also has many air-conditioned malls and cafes you can visit to escape the heat. The city also has many parks and gardens with a lot of trees and exotic flora that keep you slightly cooler.

Most of Karnataka is hot and dry in summer, but coastal regions like Mangalore and Karwar often receive some rains from the southwest monsoon, which begins in June. If you do not mind some rain, visit the pristine beaches of Gokarna like Paradise Beach and Half Moon Beach.

If you are an adventure enthusiast, Karnataka is a great place for activities like trekking, wildlife safaris, river rafting, rock climbing, bouldering, and cycling. If you do visit in summer, make sure you stay hydrated all the time.

Best places to visit in summer in Karnataka

Western Ghats, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Kudremukh, Kodachadri, Bangalore, Mysore

Bengaluru Palace

Monsoon season in Karnataka (July to September)

The monsoon season in Karnataka transforms the landscape into a lush green paradise. You will see fogs and mists along the hills and valleys of the state. Karnataka experiences heavy rainfall, with high humidity and temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. While the coastal areas get heavy rainfall, the south and north interiors of the state receive less rainfall in comparison. Agumbe in Shimoga receives the highest rainfall in Karnataka. Tourists usually avoid visiting the state during this time.

This is not the peak tourist season of Karnataka, so you will find a more beautiful and less-crowded side of the state. It is the best season to drive through the hills, take nature walks and trails, and simply revel in the beauty of the monsoon season. Visit the scenic waterfalls like Jog Falls or Abbey Falls during the rainy season, or trek through the Western Ghats. The hill stations are beautiful at this time of the year, with misty hills and lush greenery, while the coffee plantations are in full bloom.

You can also explore the ancient town of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the northern regions of Karnataka. It is a part of the Deccan Plateau. It is a completely different experience in the rains, although some parts can be slippery due to the heavy rainfall, so be careful and wear appropriate footwear while exploring these ruins.

The 10-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi takes place in September with grandeur.

Best places to visit in monsoon in Karnataka

Coorg, Hampi, Chikmagalur, Jog Falls

Chikmagalur

Festivals and events in Karnataka

Makar Sankranti: Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. Taking place on 14th or 15th January every year, the festival is one of the most famous in Karnataka. You will find homes decorated with beautiful rangolis, and traditional sweets are made. People also worship their cattle.

Dussehra: Dussehra is celebrated in September or October on a large scale in many parts of India, but Mysore Dasara takes it a step further. The grand Mysore Palace is lit up with a hundred thousand bulbs. On the ninth day of the 10-day festival, a large procession of elephants and dancers takes place on the streets of the city. There are also art and craft exhibitions, food stalls, and dance and music performances.

Ugadi: The festival of Ugadi is the first day of the Hindu New Year. Also known as Gudi Padwa in some regions, the festival takes place in March or April. According to mythology, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. The festival is celebrated with cleaning and decorating of houses, special meals, and some rituals.

Hampi Festival: Celebrated in the heritage town of Hampi, the Hampi Festival, or Vijaya Utsav, is a three-day event in October or November. It celebrates the birthday of the ancient poet Purandaradasa. Artists from all over the country attend the festival. There are music and dance performances, stalls selling trinkets and handicrafts, and many other events. The monuments are all lit up and the festival is celebrated on a large scale.

Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the major festivals in Karnataka. Occurring in August or September, idols of Lord Ganesha are placed in public places and homes. There are grand processions and cultural events during the 10-day long festival. On the last day, the idols are immersed in a water body – a lake, pond, river, sea, or artificial tanks.

Pattadakal Dance Festival: The Pattadakal Dance Festival is celebrated every year in January to celebrate the famous temples of the Pattadakal village. Dancers from all over India gather here to perform for the festival. The craft mela organized here is another major attraction of the festival.

Mahamastakabhisheka: Mahamastakabhisheka is a Jain festival that occurs once every 12 years in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka. The large statue of Siddha Bahubali is bathed with liquids like milk, saffron paste, and vermillion and turmeric powder. Gold and silver coins are offered to the statue. The festival was last celebrated in 2018, and will next be celebrated in 2030.

Hampi Festival (Vijaya Utsav)

Tips to enjoy your trip to Karnataka

• Carry a first-aid kit with you, and any emergency medications you might need. Keep in mind that in Karnataka, the sale of some over the counter medications like paracetamol and cough syrups is not allowed. So make sure you have all the basic and necessary medications with you.
• Pack according to the season you are visiting. Wear light clothes. Carry sunscreen and hats or umbrellas to protect yourself from the sun. If you are traveling in monsoon, carry a raincoat and appropriate footwear. If you are traveling in winter, carry winter jackets, sweaters or shawls for the cool nights.
• Stay hydrated. Carry adequate water with you wherever you go and keep drinking it.
• Make sure to stay up to date on the weather forecast for the day, especially during the monsoon season. Rains are not always predictable in India, so check the news before making your plans for the day.
• During monsoons, be aware of the road conditions, and be cautious if you are planning to go trekking.
• If you are traveling during peak season, try to book everything in advance.
• Homestays are your best option if you want to learn how the locals live on a daily basis.
• Be respectful of the local customs and traditions. Make sure you are dressed appropriately while visiting temples and religious places. Plus, while Goa, so close to Karnataka, is very relaxed in terms of clothing, Karnataka is not. So make sure you are dressed well.

So, when are you visiting Karnataka? Let us know! At India Someday, we plan customized trips to India for you based on your interests and preferences. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!