India
Varanasi in May
🔥 Pre-monsoon summerVery hot and mostly dry. Watch for hazy air and extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · N95 mask for hazy days · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 6.0What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.9
- !Very hot (40°C highs / 26°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 12.2°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~14 mm rain)
- Air quality4.9
- !Unhealthy for sensitive groups (PM2.5 ~42 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards7.0
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 40°C
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| May | Mar | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.0 Fair | 8.1 Very good |
| Season | 🔥 Pre-monsoon summer | 🔥 Pre-monsoon summer |
| High / low | 40° / 26° | 33° / 17° |
| Rain | 14 mm | 11 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 12° | dew pt 6° |
| PM2.5 | 42 µg/m³ | 47 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Varanasi weather-station normals. Rainfall: Varanasi weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Eid al-Adha 15–17 May · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Buddha Purnima (20 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore VaranasiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyOne of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, on the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India, and Hinduism's holiest city for pilgrimage and cremation rites.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Monsoon floodingDate variesUsually July to September
The Ganges rises and floods many ghats.
Why go: Boat rides may stop and the Aarti may move to higher ground.
Where: Ghats
Dev DeepawaliDate variesHindu calendar — Kartik Purnima, usually November
The ghats are lit with countless oil lamps.
Why go: Boats and riverside hotels book out well in advance.
Where: All ghats along the Ganges
Maha ShivaratriDate variesHindu calendar — usually February or March
A major night honouring Shiva, the city's patron deity.
Why go: Temples are extremely crowded.
Where: Kashi Vishwanath Temple and ghats
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
A nightly fire ritual performed by priests on the riverbank.
💡 Watch from a boat for a less crowded view.
Sunrise boat ride
A boat trip along the ghats at dawn as pilgrims bathe and pray.
Manikarnika Ghat
The main cremation ghat, where funeral pyres burn day and night.
💡 Photography of cremations is considered disrespectful.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of Hinduism's most important Shiva temples, with a newly built corridor to the river.
💡 Security rules restrict phones and bags; expect long queues.
Sarnath
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon, about 10 km from the city, with the Dhamek Stupa.
Old city lanes
Narrow alleys (galis) behind the ghats with shrines, shops and food stalls.
Kachori sabzi
Fried lentil-stuffed bread with spiced potato curry, a breakfast staple.
💡 Street stalls in the old city
Banarasi paan
Betel leaf wrapped around areca nut and sweet fillings.
💡 Paan stalls
Lassi
Thick yoghurt drink served in clay cups.
💡 Lassi shops near the ghats
Malaiyo
A frothy saffron milk dessert sold only in winter mornings.
💡 Old city stalls, roughly November to February
Tamatar chaat
A spicy tomato-based snack unique to Varanasi.
💡 Chaat shops in the old city
Banarasi silk saris
Silk saris with gold and silver brocade.
💡 Weaving workshops and established silk shops
Wooden toys
Lacquered wooden toys, a local craft.
💡 Craft shops
Rudraksha beads
Prayer beads used by Hindu devotees.
💡 Shops near temples