Plan your trip · Aurangabad
Best time to visit Aurangabad
October to February is the comfortable window for Aurangabad and its caves. The monsoon has its own reward at Ajanta, and April to May is best avoided unless you start at dawn.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Feb
Warm and still humid in October, then dry and mild from November to February — the comfortable season, with cool early mornings.
Pack: light cottons, with a light layer for early mornings and after dark.
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
Mar – May
Hot and dry from March, peaking in the high 30s °C in April and May. Mornings and evenings are the time to be out.
Pack: loose light cottons, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jun – Sep
The rain arrives in June and runs to September — steady through July and August, heaviest towards the Ghats, with local flooding after a big downpour. Much cooler and greener than the summer.
Pack: an umbrella or rain shell, quick-dry clothes and grippy footwear.
Plan a monsoon day →October to February: the easy months
Days are warm and dry, mornings are fresh, and walking between caves is comfortable. December and January can bring cool mornings, sometimes near 10 °C, so bring a light layer for an early start to Ajanta. This is also peak season, when hotel prices are highest and the caves are busiest, especially on weekends, over Diwali and over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Just after the monsoon
Late September and October are the best weeks for Ajanta if you like green landscapes. The hills are still green, the Waghur river is running, and water pours over the falls at the head of the gorge. Ellora's cliffs have small seasonal waterfalls too.
June to September: the monsoon
The monsoon here usually arrives in June and is moderate compared with the Konkan coast; the city gets roughly 700 mm of rain a year. Many days are cloudy, with bursts of rain rather than all-day downpours. Rock steps at the caves and at Daulatabad get slippery, and paths near Ajanta's river can be muddy. Crowds are thinner, apart from the Shravan Mondays at Grishneshwar.
March to May: the hot season
By April, afternoons regularly reach close to 40 °C and the rock radiates heat. If you must come now, start at opening time, rest indoors after noon, and go back out for the last hours of light. Daulatabad's climb is hard work in this heat.
Weekly closures to plan around
- Ajanta is usually closed on Mondays.
- Ellora is usually closed on Tuesdays.
- Check the ASI notice for national holidays and any special openings before you book.
Festivals worth timing a trip for
Mahashivratri at Grishneshwar and the city's own cultural and film festivals fall in the winter months. See events and festivals for details.
Questions
Aurangabad — FAQ
Is Aurangabad worth visiting in the monsoon?
Yes, if you do not mind some rain. The Ajanta gorge and the hills round Ellora are green, crowds are thinner, and the rain here is moderate. Wear shoes with a good grip for wet rock.
How hot does Aurangabad get in summer?
April and May afternoons are often close to 40 °C, and the highest on record is 46 °C. Plan cave visits for early morning.
When is the waterfall at Ajanta running?
During and just after the monsoon, roughly July to October, depending on the year's rain. It is usually dry by winter.