Ellora, located in Maharashtra, experiences a hot semi-arid to tropical climate with three distinct seasons: scorching summers, a lush monsoon, and mild, dry winters. The region is marked by dramatic temperature swings, moderate to heavy seasonal rainfall, and abundant sunshine, making Ellora a year-round destination for history, culture, and exploration of its famed rock-cut caves.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Ellora’s climate is shaped by its inland location and elevation, resulting in significant seasonal contrasts. Summers (March–June) are hot and dry, with average highs of 35–42°C and nighttime lows around 21–29°C. April and May are the hottest months, with intense sunshine and low humidity, making midday exploration challenging. Evenings offer some relief as temperatures drop, but visitors should plan for early morning or late afternoon visits to avoid the peak heat.
The monsoon season (June–September) brings a dramatic transformation, with heavy rainfall and lush greenery enveloping the caves. Average highs drop to 27–35°C, and lows hover around 20–26°C. July and August are the wettest months, with up to 175–200 mm of rain per month, frequent showers, and high humidity (up to 78–80%). The landscape becomes vibrant, and the caves’ rocky façades glisten in the rain, but some trails may be slippery. Despite the rain, travel is rarely disrupted, and the monsoon is considered one of the most scenic times to visit.
Winters (November–February) are mild, dry, and pleasant, with highs of 27–31°C and cool nights dipping to 10–17°C. This is the best season for sightseeing, with clear skies, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures. Rain is rare, and the air is crisp, making it ideal for exploring the extensive cave complex. Annual precipitation averages around 800–900 mm, with most falling during the monsoon. Winds are generally light, averaging 6–11 km/h, and Ellora enjoys over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually.
| Average climate data for Ellora, India | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 28 | 31 | 35 | 39 | 39 | 34 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 39 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 16 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 16 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 120 | 192 | 153 | 118 | 62 | 22 | 2 | 683 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 125 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 37 | 28 | 22 | 19 | 27 | 55 | 73 | 77 | 75 | 57 | 50 | 41 | 47 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 62 | 61 | 44 | 25 | 14 | 10 | 24 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
The best time to visit Ellora is from November to February, when temperatures are mild, humidity is low, and skies are clear. This period offers ideal conditions for exploring the caves, attending cultural festivals, and enjoying the region’s scenic beauty with minimal weather disruptions.
The least favourable time to visit is from April to June, when extreme heat (up to 42°C) makes outdoor activities challenging. The monsoon (July–September) brings frequent heavy rain and slippery paths, though it also transforms the landscape into a lush, green wonder – best for those who enjoy dramatic scenery and fewer crowds.
Ellora has a hot semi-arid to tropical climate with three seasons: very hot, dry summers; a lush, rainy monsoon; and mild, dry winters. Temperatures range from 10°C at night in winter to 42°C in peak summer.
The best time to visit Ellora is from November to February, when the weather is mild, dry, and ideal for sightseeing. This is also the peak tourist season, so book accommodations in advance.
Summers in Ellora are very hot, with average highs of 35–42°C from March to June. Outdoor activities are best planned for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday heat.
Ellora receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon (June–September), with July and August being the wettest months. Annual precipitation is around 800–900 mm, and the landscape becomes lush and green during this period.
Winters (November–February) in Ellora are mild and dry, with highs of 27–31°C and cool nights down to 10–17°C. This is the most comfortable season for exploring the caves and enjoying festivals.
Bring light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer, a raincoat and waterproof shoes for the monsoon, and a light jumper for cool winter evenings. Always carry water and plan visits for early or late in the day during hot months.
Yes, the monsoon brings lush scenery and fewer crowds, but heavy rain can make trails slippery. Carry rain gear, check weather forecasts, and enjoy the vibrant greenery and local festivals during this unique season.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is May (39.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (27.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 31.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is May (28 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (16.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 22 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (191.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (1 mm). Over the whole year there are 683.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (27.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (0.8 days). Over the whole year there are 124.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is August (77.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (19.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 46.9 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is July (18.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is November (8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 12 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is July (62.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is April (4.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 24.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 11.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 8.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are March, April and May (UV index: 8). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, July, August, October, November and December (UV index: 6). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.8.
