The best time to visit Odisha (ଓଡ଼ିଶା) is from October to March, when the weather is cool and mostly dry across the coast, the temple towns and the hills. Odisha has a tropical monsoon climate: a hot pre-monsoon season from March to May, a wet south-west monsoon from June to September that brings most of the year's rain, and a pleasant post-monsoon and winter season. The right month also depends on what you want to see, because Odisha's biggest festivals and its wildlife seasons are spread through the year.
Odisha's seasons at a glance
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) divides the year into winter (January and February), the pre-monsoon or hot season (March to May), the south-west monsoon (June to September) and the post-monsoon season (October to December). Odisha Tourism points out that every season has something to offer: winters bring festivals and events, while summer can suit beaches and hill stations.
Winter (November to February): the main travel season
Days are mild and sunny and nights cool. In Bhubaneswar, IMD data show January as the coolest month, with a daily mean of about 22 C. This is the best time for sightseeing in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark, for birdwatching on Chilika Lake and for the hills, where Daringbadi and Koraput can be cold at night. Hotels are busiest around Christmas and New Year, so book early.
Summer (March to May): hot and humid
Temperatures rise steeply from March. May is usually the hottest month on the plains; Bhubaneswar's IMD-recorded maximum is 46.7 C (5 June 2012). Heatwaves are common in western and interior districts. If you travel now, plan sightseeing for early morning and evening, carry water, and consider the hills. Odisha Tourism suggests beaches and hill stations for summer breaks.
Monsoon (June to September): green and wet
The south-west monsoon usually reaches Odisha in June. According to IMD normals, June to September brings about 1,150 mm of rain, roughly four-fifths of the annual total. Landscapes turn green and waterfalls are at their fullest, but roads can flood, seas are rough and some forest areas close or restrict entry. This is also the season of the Rath Yatra in Puri.
Post-monsoon (October): a good shoulder month
Rain tapers off in October and the countryside is still green, making it a good month for waterfalls in the hills. October is also part of the cyclone season on the coast, so watch IMD forecasts.
Month-by-month guide
Rainfall figures are IMD's normal (long-term average) monthly rainfall for Odisha as a whole; individual places vary.
| Month | Normal rainfall (Odisha, mm) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.6 | Coolest month; ideal for sightseeing and the hills |
| February | 14.6 | Pleasant and dry; good for all regions |
| March | 20.1 | Warming up; still good early in the month |
| April | 36.2 | Hot; Pana Sankranti and Utkal Divas |
| May | 72.3 | Hottest month on the plains; pre-monsoon storms |
| June | 209.3 | Monsoon arrives; Snana Yatra, Raja, often Rath Yatra |
| July | 341.4 | Very wet; Rath Yatra in some years |
| August | 363.8 | Wettest month on average; lush landscapes |
| September | 235.7 | Rain continues; Nuakhai in many years |
| October | 112.0 | Rain easing; Durga Puja, Kumar Purnima |
| November | 22.1 | Dry and pleasant; Bali Jatra, Kartika month |
| December | 6.7 | Cool and dry; Konark Dance Festival, Dhanu Jatra |
Festival calendar highlights
Most Odia festivals follow the lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates change each year. Check the Odiapedia festival calendar for exact dates.
| Season | Festival | When (approximately) |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Makar Sankranti | Mid-January |
| Winter | Dhanu Jatra, Bargarh | December to January |
| Winter | Konark Dance Festival | 1 to 5 December each year |
| Spring | Dola Purnima | February or March |
| Summer | Utkal Divas | 1 April (Odisha formed in 1936) |
| Summer | Pana Sankranti | Mid-April, Odia New Year |
| Summer | Chandan Yatra | April or May |
| Monsoon | Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra | June or July |
| Monsoon | Raja Parba | Mid-June, three days |
| Monsoon | Nuakhai | August or September |
| Post-monsoon | Durga Puja and Kumar Purnima | September or October |
| Post-monsoon | Bali Jatra and Boita Bandana | Kartika Purnima, October or November |
| Post-monsoon | Prathamastami and Manabasa Gurubara | November to December |
Coast, hills or wildlife: when to go where
The coast (Puri, Konark, Gopalpur, Chandipur)
October to March is best: comfortable temperatures and calmer seas. Swimming is risky at many Odisha beaches all year, and especially in the monsoon. Cyclones are most likely in April and May and from October to December. See our guides to Gopalpur-on-Sea and Chandipur.
The hills (Koraput, Daringbadi, Kandhamal)
September to February suits the southern and central hills. Odisha Tourism recommends October to February for Daringbadi, when night temperatures can approach freezing. The monsoon is beautiful but wet, and ghat roads can be slippery.
Wildlife parks and wetlands (Simlipal, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia, Chilika, Debrigarh)
November to March is usually best for wildlife viewing and migratory birds. Several protected areas close or limit entry for part of the year, for example during the monsoon or the breeding season, and the dates are set by the Odisha Forest Department each year. Check before you plan: see Simlipal, Bhitarkanika and Satkosia.
Western Odisha (Sambalpur, Hirakud)
October to February is the comfortable window. Summers in the west are among the hottest in the state. Odisha Tourism recommends October to February for Hirakud Dam.
Plan your visit
Once you have chosen your season, see how to reach Odisha or start from a ready-made plan such as the 5-day Odisha itinerary. For a custom itinerary built around your dates and a festival you want to see, send a request at /travel/plan.