India in November

The autumn or post-monsoon season lasts from October to November in India and is largely dry except for pockets of the east.

In the Northwestern India region, virtually cloudless conditions prevail in October and November. In India’s second city Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra, the autumn temperature ranges between 20-34 °C, with hardly any rain. It’s a wonderful time to visit the northwestern state of Rajasthan, whether the jewel-shops of Jaipur, the fairytale castles of Udaipur or the holy lakes of Pushkar. Temperatures averaging 15 to 32 °C (59-90 °F) in this desert region in autumn. Pushkar camel fair occurs late October to early November and is one of the largest camel, horse and cattle fairs in the world, though you are not obliged to buy!

The South is relatively dry over this period with the exception of some of the eastern coastal states such as Tamil Nadu, which despite its location on the country’s south eastern tip still feels the autumnal northeast monsoon. Temperatures in the state average 24-32 °C (75-90 °F) with rainfall of around 300 mm per day. Compare this with Goa on the Malabar Coast in the west, which has similar temperatures but 120 mm of rain in October and only 30 mm by November, the vast majority of days dry. One of the most spectacular and unusual attractions at this time is the 10-day Dasara festival held in the city of Mysore in Karnataka state, typically held early October, though it varies slightly. A Hindu festival of huge pomp and ceremony, it celebrates the goddess Chamundeshwari slaying the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Mysore Palace is lit up each day with nearly 100,000 light bulbs, and processions of elephants amble through the streets carrying Hindu icons.

Suggested Itineraries

Classic India

Classic India

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $17,500
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A Journey Through Bengal: Bangladesh and India

A Journey Through Bengal: Bangladesh and India

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $9,000
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A Naturalist’s Trip Through the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh

A Naturalist’s Trip Through the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $7,600
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Archaeological Excursion Through Madhya Pradesh

Archaeological Excursion Through Madhya Pradesh

Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
From $6,000
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Celebrating Dev Deepawali and Other Gems of Madhya Pradesh

Celebrating Dev Deepawali and Other Gems of Madhya Pradesh

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $5,100
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Central India Cultural Highlights

Central India Cultural Highlights

Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Price Per Person
From $8,900
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Extravagant India: An Engagement in Regal Rajasthan

Extravagant India: An Engagement in Regal Rajasthan

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $12,600
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Highlights of Madhya Pradesh

Highlights of Madhya Pradesh

Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
From $3,600
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Indian Safari Adventure

Indian Safari Adventure

Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Price Per Person
From $12,500
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Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Duration
22 days / 21 nights
Price Per Person
From $20,600
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Recommended Festivals For India in November

Thiksey Monastery Festival

November

Known as the Gustor ritual, this annual three-day festival features sacred dances, a trade fair and prayers. The festivities take place at the Tibetan-Buddhist Thiksey Monastery, perched on the top of a hill in Ladakh, India. Chams - masked dances - are performed by monks, and a sacrificial cake is cut up and dispersed.

Location Ladakh, India

Dev Diwali

October-November

One of India’s most famous Hindu festivals, the Diwali of the Gods is celebrated in Varanasi, in India’s Uttar Pradesh, 15 days after Diwali. The steps of the ghats on the banks of the Ganges river are lit with over a million earthen lamps to honor the Ganges and its goddess. Houses are also decorated with lamps and fireworks are lit.

Location Varanasi, India

Sonepur Elephant Fair

November-December

Also known as the Sonepur Cattle Fair, this fall event is one of the largest cattle fairs in the world. Visitors from all over Asia make their way to Sonepur, Bihar, on the banks of the River Ganges, for the ancient festival that can stretch from 15 days to one month. Farm animals from dogs, to rabbits and Persian horses are sold at the event.

Location Sonepur, India

Diwali

October/November

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an important Hindu festival that takes place over five days each fall, all throughout India. The element of light in this festival represents good overcoming evil. The main festival night consists of prayers, fireworks, feasts and the exchange of gifts.

Location Countrywide, India

Pushkar Camel Fair

October-November

An astonishing 50,000 camels converge on the tiny desert town of Pushkar, in India's state of Rajasthan for the Pushkar Camel Fair. For five days, the camels are dressed up, paraded, shaved, entered into beauty contests, raced and traded. It's a great opportunity to witness a true traditional Indian festival.

Location Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

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