Best time to Visit Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu in Winter - From November till March

The best time to visit Tamil Nadu is from November till March as the mercury level comes down making it ideal time for sightseeing and outdoor activities. This also happens to be ideal time to visit some of the famous temples of Tamil Nadu. The state is home to staggering 33,000 temples several of which are designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Destinations such as Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, Chennai, Velankanni, Trichirappalli and Mudumalai National Park are best visited during winters. Some of the important festivals in Tamil Nadu is also celebrated during winter season including 4 day harvest festival Pongal starting from 14th January every year and the dance festival in Mamallapuram. Yet another major festival to attend is the Tyagaraja Aradhana, the annual Carnatic music festival which is held every year between January and February

Temperature in Winters: 10°C to 15°C.

Tip: Various local festivals & fairs, traditional celebrations take place in winter. Plan your vacation according to the festivals to enhance your experience.

Things to do in Winter in Tamil Nadu

• Indulge in water fun activities at Paradise Beach and Dhanushkodi
• Temple hopping and experience village life
• Enjoy Jungle trekking and bamboo rafting at the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
• Take a dip in famous waterfalls-Main Falls, Five Falls, Tiger Falls
• Enjoy Boating in the pond near Dharmapuri Waterfall
• Embrace the thrill with paragliding, mountain climbing in Yelagiri
• Please your eyes with bird watching experience in Vedanthangal
  

Festivals in winter

• Pongal (Mid-January)
• Diwali (around November)
• Thiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Aradhana (January)
• India Quilt Festivals ( around January)
• Coimbatore Shopping Festivals( Around December)
• Float Festival of India (January - February)
   

Tamil Nadu in Summer - From March till May

Summer months are generally harsh and humid with average temperature wee above 35°C and even touching the high of 40°C and above in May and June. This is definitely not the best time to visit Tamil Nadu if you are coming here solely for tourism. But there are some important festivals and celebrations which are celebrated this time of the season which include the 12 day Chithirai Festival in Meenakshi Temple in Madurai.

Top places to visit in Tamil Nadu in summer month of March till May and even beyond are the scenic hill stations Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud and Yelagiri Hills which are hot favorite for family vacations and honeymoon in south India in summers. Don’t miss the summer festival which is held every year in the month of May in Ooty.

Temperature in Summer: 35°C and 40°C.

Tips: The 12 days Chithirai festival takes place in summer, so make sure to plan your visit according to it.

Things to do in Summer in Tamil Nadu:

• Enjoy the sightseeing and local food tasting in Ambur
• Trekking and bird watching at Sirumalai and Javadi Hill
• Explore Kolukkumalai Tea estate and enjoy shopping in Theni by purchasing exotic spices and condiments, handloom products.
• Enjoy Boating in Kodai lake
• Horse riding with a scenic view at Kodaikanal
• Temple Hopping and Learn about the culture
  

Festivals in Summer

• Natyanjali Dance Festival (Around March)
• Chithirai (April-May)
• Puthandu(Mid-April)
  

Tamil Nadu in Monsoon - From June till December

Tamil Nadu has two periods of rainfall, which include South West Monsoon (June to September) and North East Monsoon (October to December). Once again, the hills are the best places to visit during the rainy season in TamilNadu. The mercury comes down considerably upon the arrival of monsoon rains, but the climate remains humid, especially in July and August.

From October to December, the weather remains pretty cool, making it a good time for sightseeing. One of the best places to visit during monsoon in Tamil Nadu is Velankanni Town, where the Feast of the Nativity of Mary is celebrated every year on September 8th. The festivities commence on the 29th of August and end on the feast day on the 8th of September, which makes the rainy season in Tamil Nadu ideal for getting a glimpse into the festivity and culture.

Temperature in Monsoon: 25°C and 30°C.

Tip: Tamil Nadu experiences two phases of monsoon first; the Southwest monsoon from June to September and second; Northwest monsoon from October to December.

Things to do in Monsoon in Tamil Nadu

• Stroll in Courtallam Eco Park
• Get a sensational view from Dolphin Nose View Point
• Enjoy a delightful visit to Sim’s Park to connect with nature and click some lovely pictures
• Experience fragrant monsoon wind and picturesque views around Ooty Lake, Emerald Lake, Pykara Falls
• Celebrate monsoon with Kanyakumari Beach and Sanguthurai Beach
• Enjoy trekking amidst greenery at Valparai

Festivals in Monsoon

• Aadi Perukku (Mid-July-August)
• Erwadi Santhanakoodu Festival (July-August)
• Karthika Deepam(November-December)
• Thimithi (October and November)