India in February: All You Need to Know
February is one of the best times to visit India. Officially, it is still winter, but the chills and fogs of January are replaced by pleasant days and clear skies in large swathes of northern India. In the south, the blistering summer heat is still a month or two away. You can explore the length and breadth of this ancient land in February and engage in a variety of outdoor activities. Spot a royal Bengal tiger on a safari of Ranthambore. Gaze in wonder at the gorgeous Taj Mahal bathed in moonlight and go river rafting near Rishikesh.
- R Zabka
- From Portugal
India weather in February
February marks the last of the four winter months in India and also the end of the peak tourist season. Although the weather in northern and central parts of the country in February is on the colder side, it seldom gets uncomfortably cold. Plus, there is little rain during this month. Even in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where winter is much warmer, you will not encounter the extreme heat that the Indian summer is infamous for. The average February temperature in Tamil Nadu, for example, is 27°C, while in Kerala it is slightly less than that.
This is a great time to wander through the dense thickets of the Western Ghats in search of wildlife, which ranges from herds of wild elephants to lion-tailed macaques, see the intimidating forts and enchanting palaces on a trip to Udaipur, or even visit the residence of the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Dharamshala. In Rajasthan, where Udaipur is located, the maximum temperature is comfortably under 30°C in February. Day temperatures in Dharamshala hover between 9°C and 22°C this month.
Get a seasonal outline of the country, by reading our travel guide on the best time to visit India.
Weather in India in February - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 18 | 23 | 18 | 36 | 39 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 27 | 21 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 7 | 11 | 15 | 22 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 13 | 8 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 65 | 74 | 65 | 97 | 103 | 99 | 94 | 92 | 92 | 88 | 81 | 70 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 45 | 52 | 59 | 72 | 79 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 76 | 67 | 56 | 47 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 23 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 74 | 180 | 173 | 117 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 18 | 23 | 18 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 7 | 11 | 15 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 65 | 74 | 65 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 45 | 52 | 59 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 23 | 18 | 13 |
Why visit India in February
As far as the weather is concerned, you do not need to think twice before planning a trip to India in February. But the cool and dry weather is not the only reason to visit India in February.
- Competitive prices: Though November to February is the peak tourist season in India, the latter month sees fewer tourists, and many hotels and resorts offer enticing deals to attract more guests.
- Playing with the snow: This is also an excellent time to experience snow in the spectacular Himalayas. In the upper reaches of the mountains around Dharamshala in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, as well as in the northeastern state of Sikkim, the snow is yet to melt in February, allowing you to experience the beauty of mountains clad in white.
- Urban history: The pleasant weather also allows you to explore some of the most popular cities in India, like Amritsar (the Sikhs’ holiest place) and Delhi. You can see the evocative Mughal-era monuments like the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb in the national capital, while an Amritsar tour allows you to discover the iconic Golden Temple and other monuments worth.
- Palaces and forts: You need not worry about the sweltering desert heat while on a trip to the magnificent forts and palaces of erstwhile rulers of Rajasthan in February. Perched on a hill, Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is a splendid example of this bygone era of unbelievable riches, flamboyant architecture, and royal living. From March to October, Rajasthan is uncomfortably hot so it makes a lot of sense to include the state’s forts and palaces in your February itinerary.
- Southern hills: Unlike the north, it does not usually snow in the mountains of the south. Therefore the February weather is superb for trekking in the idyllic green hills of Munnar in Kerala and discovering another side of the country.
Where to go and what to do
The states of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are among the best places to visit in India in February. See the 73-meter high, 13th century Qutub Minar, a Unesco World Heritage site and a symbol of Delhi’s past, and drive past the colonial-era Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India. Not far from Delhi, the Taj Mahal is not the only wonder in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra. Here you can also see the ornate Itimad-ud-Daulah, a marble mausoleum overlooking the Yamuna River, and visit Mehtab Bagh, one of the last great Mughal gardens of Agra.
Immerse yourself in the spirituality that permeates every corner of Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu cities, and feel the serene vibes of Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first post-nirvana sermon. Soar over Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur in a hot air balloon or take a rickshaw to the lovely Hawa Mahal, one of the city’s stars attractions. In the southern state of Karnataka, you can wander through the grand ruins of Hampi, the site of the great medieval kingdom of Vijayanagar; grab a beer in one of the trendy pubs in India’s IT capital Bengaluru; and be wowed by the sixth-century cave temples in Badami, which are carved out of red sandstone.
India’s incredible cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity along with its rich history and culture makes the country a delightful destination. If you are looking for a custom tour to India in February, get in touch with our local travel experts. For a seasonal overview, check our guide on the best time to visit India. For ideas on what you can do on your trip to India in February, see our guide on things to do in India. Our article on how many days to spend in India will also come in handy.
Other Related Articles:
India in January
India in March
Winter in India
