The best time to visit Rajasthan is from October to March, when days are warm and dry and nights are cool. December and January are the coolest months: Jaipur averages a high of about 22°C in January and a low of about 8°C, according to India Meteorological Department figures published by the World Meteorological Organization. From April to June the state is very hot, with average highs above 40°C in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in May. The monsoon arrives in July and August, bringing most of the year’s rain and turning the hills around Udaipur green. This guide goes month by month, compares the main cities, and lists the big fairs and festivals for 2026 and 2027.
Know before you go
- Best season: October to March, cool and dry.
- Coolest months: December and January; desert nights can drop below 10°C.
- Hottest month: May, with average highs of about 40°C to 42°C.
- Monsoon: July and August are the wettest months.
- Pushkar Fair 2026: 17 to 24 November.
- Desert Festival 2027, Jaisalmer: 18 to 20 February.
- Last checked: 5 November 2026.
In this Article
Rajasthan weather by month
Rajasthan is a large state, and the weather differs between the Thar Desert in the west and the greener Aravalli hills in the south. The table below shows average daily low and high temperatures for four cities on the usual tourist route. The figures are long-term averages from the India Meteorological Department, published by the World Meteorological Organization.
| Month | Jaipur | Jodhpur | Udaipur | Jaisalmer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 to 22°C | 10 to 25°C | 7 to 24°C | 8 to 24°C |
| February | 11 to 25°C | 12 to 28°C | 9 to 27°C | 11 to 27°C |
| March | 16 to 31°C | 17 to 33°C | 15 to 33°C | 16 to 33°C |
| April | 22 to 37°C | 23 to 38°C | 20 to 37°C | 22 to 38°C |
| May | 26 to 40°C | 27 to 41°C | 25 to 40°C | 26 to 42°C |
| June | 28 to 40°C | 28 to 40°C | 26 to 37°C | 27 to 41°C |
| July | 26 to 34°C | 27 to 36°C | 25 to 32°C | 27 to 38°C |
| August | 25 to 32°C | 25 to 34°C | 23 to 30°C | 25 to 36°C |
| September | 23 to 34°C | 24 to 35°C | 21 to 32°C | 24 to 36°C |
| October | 19 to 34°C | 20 to 36°C | 17 to 33°C | 20 to 36°C |
| November | 13 to 29°C | 15 to 32°C | 12 to 29°C | 13 to 31°C |
| December | 9 to 24°C | 11 to 27°C | 8 to 26°C | 9 to 26°C |
Rain is concentrated in a few months. Jaipur averages about 214 mm in each of July and August but less than 11 mm a month from November to April. Udaipur gets about 175 mm in July and 195 mm in August. Jaisalmer, in the desert, is much drier, with about 60 mm in July and 76 mm in August and very little the rest of the year.
October to March: peak season
This is the main travel season, and for good reason. Skies are clear, the air is dry, and you can spend whole days walking around forts and old cities without the heat wearing you down.
October is still warm, with average highs of 33°C to 36°C, but nights start to cool. November is one of the best months of all, with highs near 30°C and the Pushkar Fair. December and January are the coolest. Days are pleasant, but nights in the desert can be cold, so take a warm jacket for Jaisalmer and a sweater for Jaipur. February and early March are still comfortable and bring the Desert Festival and Holi.
The downside is demand. Hotels in Jaipur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer fill up over Diwali, Christmas and New Year, and prices rise. Book early for those dates.
April to June: summer
April starts hot and May and June are extreme. In May, average highs reach about 40°C to 42°C across the four cities. Sightseeing in the open is hard in the middle of the day. If you travel now, plan early mornings and late afternoons, rest indoors through the afternoon, and drink plenty of water. Hotel rates are often lower, and Mount Abu, the state’s hill station, is a popular escape from the heat.
July to September: monsoon
The monsoon brings relief from the heat, and the countryside looks very different. The Aravalli hills around Udaipur turn green, lakes fill up, and forts look dramatic under heavy skies. Short heavy showers can still disrupt plans, and humidity is high. This is the low season for most hotels, so prices are often better.
September is a transition month. The rains ease as the month goes on, but it is still warm, with average highs of about 32°C to 36°C. It suits travellers who want green scenery and smaller crowds and do not mind the heat.
Best time by city
Best time to visit Jaipur
From October to March. Jaipur is at its most comfortable from November to February, which also covers the kite festival on 14 January. For the forts and palaces, see our guides to Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort and the forts and museums of Jaipur.
Best time to visit Udaipur
From September to March. Udaipur is greener and a little milder than the desert cities, and it looks its best when the lakes are full after a good monsoon. Our guide to Udaipur, the city of lakes covers the City Palace and the lakes.
Best time to visit Jaisalmer and the desert
From November to February. Jaisalmer is the hottest of the four cities in summer, so a desert trip makes most sense in the cool months. Evening camel rides and nights at a desert camp are far more pleasant then, though nights can be cold. Our Sam sand dunes guide explains the dunes, safaris and camps.
Best time to visit Jodhpur
From October to March. Mehrangarh Fort is a steep climb and the old city is best explored on foot, so cooler weather helps. See our Jodhpur travel guide.
Fairs and festivals
Rajasthan Tourism publishes a long-term list of fair and festival dates. Many follow the Hindu lunar calendar, so dates move from year to year. These are the main ones from November 2026 to October 2027.
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Pushkar Fair | Pushkar | 17 to 24 November 2026 |
| Winter Festival | Mount Abu | 29 to 31 December 2026 |
| Camel Festival | Bikaner | 9 to 10 January 2027 |
| Kite Festival | Jaipur | 14 January 2027 |
| Desert Festival | Jaisalmer | 18 to 20 February 2027 |
| Gangaur | Jaipur | 9 to 10 April 2027 |
| Mewar Festival | Udaipur | 9 to 11 April 2027 |
| Summer Festival | Mount Abu | 15 to 16 May 2027 |
| Teej | Jaipur | 4 to 5 August 2027 |
| Abhaneri Festival | Abhaneri, Dausa | 1 to 2 October 2027 |
| Marwar Festival | Jodhpur | 13 to 14 October 2027 |
Check the dates again on the Rajasthan Tourism website closer to your trip, since they can change.
The Pushkar Fair is one of the world’s largest camel fairs, and it ends on Kartik Purnima, when pilgrims bathe in the holy lake. The Desert Festival in Jaisalmer brings folk music, camel races and other events to the town and the Sam dunes.
Best time to visit Rajasthan with family
For a family trip, go from November to February. The weather is easy on children and older relatives, and you can do a full day of sightseeing without heat exhaustion. Pack layers, since mornings and nights are cool and afternoons are warm. Avoid the summer months of April to June. If school holidays only allow a summer trip, Mount Abu or Udaipur is a better choice than the desert.
Planning your trip
Once you know your dates, our Rajasthan itinerary for 7 days shows how to link Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur by road and rail.
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Rajasthan with family?
November to February. The days are mild, which suits children and older travellers, and it covers several big festivals. Take warm layers for the evenings.
What is the best time to visit Rajasthan’s desert and Jaisalmer?
November to February, when days are comfortable and desert nights are cool. Jaisalmer averages a high of about 42°C in May, so avoid the summer.
What is the best time to visit Jaipur?
October to March. December and January are the coolest, with average highs of about 22°C to 24°C.
What is the best time to visit Udaipur?
September to March. After the monsoon the lakes are full and the hills are green.
Is September a good time to visit Rajasthan?
It can be. The monsoon is easing, the countryside is green and crowds are small, but days are still warm, with highs of 32°C to 36°C, and there may be some rain.
Official resources: World Meteorological Organization: Jaipur climate; WMO: Jaisalmer climate; Rajasthan Tourism: fairs and festivals; Incredible India: Pushkar Camel Fair
Photo credits
Featured image: Vijay.dhankahr28 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; October to March: peak season: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; July to September: monsoon: UnpetitproleX / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Best time to visit Udaipur: Clément Bardot / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Best time to visit Jodhpur: Yann (talk) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Fairs and festivals: Sudipta Dutta Chowdhury / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Fairs and festivals: (WT-en) Yogeshmankar at English Wikivoyage / Wikimedia Commons (public domain); Planning your trip: pradeep kumar chatte… / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0; Is September a good time to visit Rajasthan?: Siddharth 36 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
