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The best time to visit Mathura is October to March, when daytime highs sit between 22°C and 34°C and the monsoon humidity has cleared. This window covers Diwali in late autumn, the cool winter temple season and Holi in early March. Avoid late April to early June, when temperatures routinely pass 43°C, and July to mid-September, when the city receives three quarters of its annual rain. Check the Mathura weather by month data before you pack. Start with the full Mathura travel guide for an overview.
Best Time to Visit Mathura: Best Weather
November through February offers the most comfortable conditions. November averages 29°C by day and 14°C at night with only 5 mm of rain, while January is the coolest month at 24°C (75°F) by day and 7°C (45°F) at night. Skies are clear except for early-morning fog in December and January. October is also good, though afternoons still reach 34°C. March is pleasant but noticeably warmer, with highs near 34°C, and it is the last comfortable month before the heat. The things to do in Mathura guide has a fuller list.
Best Time to Visit Mathura: Fewest Crowds
The least crowded months are May, June and the July-to-August monsoon, when most domestic tourists stay away and the temples are quiet enough to enter without queues. The trade-off is heat of 40°C to 43°C in May and June, or heavy rain and humidity in July and August. For a middle path, visit on weekdays in October and November, when the weather is excellent and crowds are thinner than during the winter peak and festival days. See the Mathura neighborhoods guide to compare areas.
Best Time to Visit Mathura: Lowest Prices
Hotel rates bottom out from April to September. A room that costs Rs 4,000 a night in December often drops to Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 in May or the July-to-August monsoon, and many properties cut prices by 40 to 50%. Trains are also easier to book, with same-day tickets available on the Delhi to Mathura sector that sell out weeks ahead in the winter peak. If your budget matters more than the heat, aim for September, when the worst rain is ending but prices are still low. Compare hotels in the where to stay in Mathura guide.
Best Time to Visit Mathura: Events and Festivals
Holi, usually in early March, is the biggest draw: the Braj region around Mathura stages Lathmar Holi at Barsana a week beforehand, and the colour celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan are among the most famous in India. Krishna Janmashtami, in August or September, marks the birth of Krishna at his birthplace temple and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees. Diwali in October or November and Radhashtami in September are also major. Book hotels two to three months ahead for Holi and Janmashtami; see the Mathura events and festivals guide for exact dates. Practical details are in the Mathura travel tips and FAQ guide.
Best Time to Visit Mathura: Months to Avoid
Skip late April, May and the first half of June unless you can handle 43°C heat with no cloud cover. July and August are not dangerous, but the 180 mm to 190 mm of monthly rain, 80% humidity and flooded lanes make temple-hopping uncomfortable. December and January are comfortable but attract the largest winter crowds, and morning fog can delay trains and flights from Delhi. If you want good weather without the peak prices, target late October, November or February.
