East India has three broad seasons: a cool, dry winter, a hot summer and the south-west monsoon. The coast adds a cyclone risk, and the hills follow their own rhythm. Here is how that plays out across the region.
October to March: the main season
For Kolkata, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand, these are the most comfortable months, with warm days and cooler nights. Winter mornings in Bihar can be foggy, especially in December and January, which can delay trains and flights. This is also the season for winter birds at Chilika and for Buddhist pilgrims in Bodh Gaya.
April to June: heat
The plains become very hot, and humid near the coast. This is when the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills are at their most popular.
June to September: the monsoon
Heavy rain arrives across the region. Hill roads around Darjeeling can be blocked by landslides, parts of north Bihar flood, and Betla National Park in Jharkhand closes from 1 July to 30 September. On the other hand, the landscape turns green and Jharkhand’s waterfalls start to fill.
Cyclones
The Bay of Bengal coast, including Odisha and the Sundarbans, can be hit by cyclones, most often around May and from October to November. Follow official warnings and avoid coastal boat trips when warnings are in force.
Festivals to plan around
- Durga Puja (September or October), especially in Kolkata.
- Chhath in Bihar; in 2026 the main days fall in mid-November.
- Konark Festival of classical dance, 1–5 December 2026.
- Rath Yatra in Puri, in June or July (16–24 July in 2026).
- Shravani Mela in Deoghar, in the monsoon month of Shravan.
Sources and image credits
Facts that can change were checked on 31 October 2026:
- India Meteorological Department
- UNI: Betla National Park reopens (1 October 2026)
- Drik Panchang: Chhath 2026
- Incredible India: Konark Festival 2026
- NewsBytes: Puri Rath Yatra 2026 (10 May 2026)
Photography: Neeraj Jangid via the WordPress Photo Directory (CC0). Stock images, not the author’s own.
Weather varies year to year. Check India Meteorological Department forecasts and warnings close to your trip.
