Best Time to Visit Kolkata and West Bengal: Month-by-Month

The best time to visit Kolkata and the plains of West Bengal is from October to March, when days are pleasant and evenings cool. October is famous for Durga Puja, December and January are festive and comfortable, and February and March bring spring festivals such as Saraswati Puja and Holi. Darjeeling is best from March to May and October to November, and the Sundarbans from November to February. April to June is hot and humid, and the monsoon brings heavy rain.

West Bengal stretches from the Bay of Bengal to the Himalayas, so the plains and hills have different seasons. This guide gives a month-by-month view of weather, crowds and festivals, explains each region, suggests the best months by travel style and shows when to book.

The seasons

• Autumn (October to November): post-monsoon greenery, Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Diwali.
• Winter (December to February): cool and dry in the plains, cold in the hills, festive Christmas season in Kolkata.
• Spring (March): warming days, Holi (Dol Jatra), clear views in Darjeeling.
• Summer (April to June): hot and humid in the plains, pleasant in Darjeeling.
• Monsoon (June to September): heavy rain, flooding in places, landslide risk in the hills.

West Bengal month by month

Festival dates follow the Bengali and Hindu calendars and change each year, so confirm them before booking.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is Kolkata's biggest celebration and one of the world's great festivals. For five days, usually in September or October, the city fills with thousands of themed pandals housing beautifully crafted idols of the goddess Durga, along with lights, music, food stalls and crowds late into the night. It is a spectacular time to visit, but hotels fill months in advance and traffic is heavy. Pandal-hopping is best early in the morning or late at night, ideally with a local guide.

Darjeeling and the hills

Darjeeling is best from March to May and October to November, when skies are clearest and Kanchenjunga is often visible at sunrise from Tiger Hill. The first-flush tea season in spring is a highlight for tea lovers. Winter is cold but often clear, while the monsoon brings rain, mist and landslide risk on hill roads.

Best months by travel style

With parents and children by season

For families with older parents, November to February is best: Kolkata's humidity is lower, and walks, ferry rides and rajbari stays are comfortable. During Durga Puja, crowds can be overwhelming for elderly travellers, so plan visits at quieter times. Darjeeling's toy train and zoo delight children in spring and autumn.

How far ahead to book

For Durga Puja, book Kolkata hotels four to six months ahead. For Christmas and New Year, two to three months is usually enough. Darjeeling hotels fill quickly in May and October; book two to three months ahead.

Timing mistakes to avoid

• Booking late for Durga Puja: Kolkata's hotels fill months in advance.
• Visiting Darjeeling in July for views: monsoon clouds often hide the mountains.
• Planning the Sundarbans in the monsoon: rain and rough water limit safaris.
• Sightseeing at midday in May: the heat and humidity are intense.

In short

Choose October for Durga Puja, November to February for Kolkata, rajbaris and the Sundarbans, and March to May or October to November for Darjeeling's views. Avoid the plains in the hottest months and the hills in the heaviest rain.

Kolkata by season

Kolkata is at its most enjoyable from November to February, when the air is cool and dry and the city's winter food traditions appear: nolen gur (date palm jaggery) sweets, joynagarer moa and plum cakes from old bakeries around Christmas. Park Street lights up for Christmas and New Year, and the Kolkata Book Fair draws huge crowds in January or February. Summer is hot and humid, so plan sightseeing early in the morning and in the evening.

If your dates are fixed in summer, spend most of your time in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, where the weather is pleasant, and keep Kolkata to a short stay with early-morning sightseeing. If you travel in the monsoon, choose indoor experiences in Kolkata, such as museums, food trails and music, and check hill road conditions before heading north.

Matching the route to the season

From October to March, our Bengal Tapestry: Kolkata, Murshidabad and Rajbari Journey and Culinary and Cultural Delights of Kolkata are at their best, especially in winter, when Kolkata's seasonal sweets appear.

Whatever the month, start sightseeing early in Kolkata, when the streets are calmer and the light over the Hooghly is at its best. Take the ferry across the river at sunrise, visit the flower market at Mallick Ghat, and leave the afternoons for museums, cafés and a rest before the evening food walks.

What to pack by season

• October to March: light cottons for the plains and warm layers for Darjeeling.
• April to June: breathable clothing, a hat and plenty of water.
• June to September: rain gear and quick-dry clothes.

For a full planning overview, see our West Bengal trip planning guide. With one named planner and WhatsApp support throughout, your trip can be timed for Durga Puja, winter food trails or clear mountain mornings.

Your questions, answered

What is the best month to visit Kolkata?

October to March is the most comfortable period, with pleasant days and cool evenings. October is especially popular for Durga Puja, and December and January bring festive winter weather.

When is Durga Puja in Kolkata?

Durga Puja usually falls in September or October, with the main celebrations over five days. Dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar and change each year.

When is the best time to visit Darjeeling?

March to May and October to November offer the clearest views of Kanchenjunga and pleasant weather. Winter is cold but often clear, and the monsoon brings rain and landslide risk.

When is the best time to visit the Sundarbans?

November to February is the most comfortable period for boat safaris in the Sundarbans, with cooler weather and calmer conditions. The monsoon brings heavy rain and rough water.