Indian Tourism

India is often quoted as a land of beauty with a variety in her landscape right from lush green central plains to arid deserts in north-west and from snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the virgin peninsular beaches in south India. The land is the undisputed combination of colors, vibrancy, spices, warmth and exotic beauty. Perhaps it may sound incorrect to describe India in a few short paragraphs. To understand what India truly is, you need to go beyond and experience her beauty rather than glance through a couple of reviews. So if you are wondering when to visit India, then this article will let you know the best time to do so.

When to Embark on the Incredible Indian Journey?India is like a jigsaw puzzle of a variety of terrains which also gives it a regional diversity in the climatic conditions. A traveler who has absolutely no idea about India, may need to first start with deciding which regions of India interest him better. The ideal next step is to find out the climates of these regions so as to decide the best time of the year to visit India. Presently, I will enlighten you about the regional diversity in Indian climates. Travelers need to remember that Indian subcontinent enjoys three basic seasons:
Summer (March to May)
Monsoons (June to September)
Winter (October to February)
Northern Mountains
This region typically includes the mountainous terrain of north Indian states like Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The temperatures fall by 0.5° C for every 100 mt rise in the altitude. These regions are cold and arid with a tundra type of climate. There are severe snowfalls during the winter season in the upper Himalayas (altitude 1500 m and above).
Ideal Time to visit: Summer

Northern Sub-tropical Regions
This region includes states set at the foothills of the northern mountainous belt. It includes states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, northern Rajasthan, northern West Bengal and Assam. These areas receive heavy showers and summers can often get unbearably hot.
Ideal Time to visit: Winter

Tropical Rain Forests
This region comprises north-eastern states like Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, etc., as well as regions along the western peninsular coast of India like Mumbai, Goa and south-western states of India. Summers which last from March to early June are particularly harsh. The region experiences heavy rainfall from mid June to September.
Ideal Time to visit: Winter

Arid Desert Regions
This region comprises a major part of Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat and Punjab states. The rainfall is really scanty while summers are really hot with mercury rising up to 50° C. During winters, the average daytime temperature is pleasantly warm while nighttime temperature can get really freezing.
Ideal Time to visit: Winter

Central India
This region particularly comprises eastern Maharashtra areas near Nagpur, interior Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and parts of northern Karnataka. This region is rain shadow region experiencing hot and dry climate during major part of the year. Winters can get extremely chilled. The region is basically known for extreme climatic conditions.
Ideal Time to visit: Winter

South India and Eastern Coastal Regions
This region comprises Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, coastal Karnataka, Orissa and coastal Andhra Pradesh. The regions have extremely hot, humid and unbearable summers. Travelers are advised to avoid summers in south India as there are high chances of getting sun strokes. Monsoons are known for heavy showers making traveling difficult.
Ideal Time to visit: Winter and early Summer

Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands
The Andaman islands are located are located in the Bay of Bengal while the Lakshadweep islands are located in the Arabian Sea close to the coast of Kerala. The islands can experience heavy rainfalls. The region offers extensive opportunities for scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports. Similarly, the region is popular for fishing. You can get some of the best varieties of fish in summer.
Ideal Time to visit: Summer

Festival Time of India

If you wish to experience the festive spirit of India, then you are in for a treat from early October to mid-March. You will not only get a chance to see the colorful spirit of the celebrations but an opportunity to taste some of the choicest festive delicacies of India. Some major festivals start with Navratri in October or early November closely followed by Diwali in a few days span. You can experience the Pushkar festival of Rajasthan in November too. Celebrating Christmas and New year in idyllic regions like Goa can be fun too. Other popular times to head to India include Sankranti or Lohri festival in mid-January and the colorful festival of Holi in March.

Travelers are advised to make bookings of their intended stay in India well before arrival of the peak season, as hotels and accommodations tend to fill up fast. If you wish to participate in Indian festivals, then check with an expert travel agent who may guide you with the exact festival dates for the year. If you follow the ideal seasons, then I am sure that India will prove to be an unforgettable experience.