I am going to be in India in June this year, and I believe that during the month of June it is very hot in India, well in most parts! The last thing I want is being drenched in sweat due to the hot weather and being uncomfortable, so I need some expert advice on the places to visit in India in June. I want the holiday to be enjoyable and a chance where I can visit some famous places (where it is feasible according to the weather)
Hello, @Shatish, welcome to the forum! (Images from Amartyabag, Santoshiwtn and Henrik) Overview The month of June can be considered as a transition period between the summer and monsoon seasons in India. During the first half of the month, temperatures remain around the same range as in May. By the latter half of the month, humidity rises as the monsoon season finally sets in. As such, the month of June has the disadvantages of high temperatures, humidity and rain showers. But the beauty of the country is that there is always destinations for specific seasons. So even if you only have the spare time to visit it during June, don't worry as there are some places still that you can explore and enjoy. In this guide, we would highlight the best destinations to visit in India during June, places that would cool you and give you some respite from the unbearable heat. Places to Visit in India in June On top of the world with hill stations... 1. Ravangla (Sikkim) - Located about 2,100 metres above sea level is the hill station of Ravangla in Sikkim. Even during summer season, the temperatures here don't exceed 30°C, they usually range around 25°C. It's also not unusual to find mists and fogs enveloping the region even during the month of June. A must visit here is the Buddha Park, set upon a hillock, with the backdrop of the mighty Kanchenjunga ranges behind it. The park has a giant statue of a golden Buddha, as if overlooking the whole hill station. There's a hall inside the statue depicting the life of Buddha, from his birth, to his enlightenment, until his death. The brightly coloured Ralong Monastery is located a bit further from the centre, but also boasts of a backdrop of the mountains. The vivid frescoes on the exteriors and interiors of the monastery depicting scenes from the life of Buddha are worth exploring here. The Samdruptse Monastery is located upon a hillock of the same name and has a giant statue of the Lord Padmasambhava. It takes around 10 minutes to reach the top of the hillock from the base by walking or you can hire one of the golf carts to take you there. Additionally, there's a small hall here showcasing the rich history of the state through photographs. You also can't miss the Rayong Sunrise View Point, about eight kilometres away from the centre. From this view point, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges, best seen during sunrise as the rays of the rising sun are sure to entice you. For adventure seekers, do try out the Maenam Hill trek, where you can enjoy trekking amidst oaks, rhododendrons and chestnuts. Must Visit Attractions - Buddha Park, Ralong Monastery, Samdruptse Monastery, Rayong Sunrise View Point and Maenam Hill Related Thread - Places for Honeymoon in India 2. Coonoor (Tamil Nadu) - With very pleasant summers not exceeding 30°C, Coonoor can give the tourists some respite from the heat of the plains. The beauty of Coonoor is that it remains less commercialised than its neighbour Ooty. It has similar landscapes though of verdant greenery owing to the numerous tea plantations here. Sim's Park is the main attraction of the hill station, a small garden set upon a central lake. Usually, the flower blooming season is during May but you might still find some flowers in bloom during the first few weeks of June. Commonly spotted species of flowers here are roses and magnolias, along with a huge variety of shrubs and medicinal plants. There are also some view points in the hill station that you can visit. The Dolphin's Nose is located a few kilometres away from the centre of the hill station. It is shaped like the nose of the dolphin hence the name and gives one a great view of the Nilgiri mountains plus distant waterfalls. Lamb's Rock is another view point here where you can enjoy the mountain views. For both view points, they require one to pass through scenic tea estates prior to reaching them, so the journey is equally picturesque. If you're visiting during the end of June, when rain showers are already evident, then you can also visit the Laws Waterfalls. This cascading waterfall amidst the rocks is sure to refresh you after a tiring day of touring the hill station. Must Visit Attractions - Sim's Park, Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock and Laws Waterfalls Related Thread - Places to See Around Coonoor Coonoor (Image from Thangaraj) 3. Mukteshwar (Himachal Pradesh) - The hill station of Mukteshwar is also known as the abode of the Lord Shiva. It is here where you can find the Mukteshwar Dham, an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was the place where the Hindu god gave mukti to a demon who once lived here, hence the name. The temple is only approachable by foot from the centre of the hill station, which is about a kilometre long climb. The unique view point, Chauli Ki Jali is also worth visiting, though it requires a climb of around 10 minutes. From the peak, you can enjoy the views of the Kumaon ranges and surrounding valleys. For the Hindus, there's a rock here with a hole in the middle, it's considered as an important wish-fulfilling place once the devotee is able to pass through the hole. You can also visit the Mukteshwar Inspection Bungalow, a colonial-style bungalow which has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. You can even opt to stay here as it is operated by the government and can be reserved for overnight stays or more. Finally, the Bhalu Gaad Waterfalls, about 14 kilometres from the hill station, can be visited at the onset of monsoon season. It is a fairly small and straight waterfall that cascades upon various levels. Must Visit Attractions - Mukteshwar Dham, Chauli Ki Jali, Mukteshwar Inspection Bungalow and Bhalu Gaad Waterfalls Related Thread - Summer Holiday Destinations in India Cities you would love... 4. Chandigarh (Punjab & Haryana) - Situated just below the Himalayan ranges and the hill stations of the north is the city of Chandigarh. Because of its location, the city experiences mild climates all-year round. The cool breeze from the mountains help to make the temperatures here bearable. It also helps that numerous gardens and parks can be found here that add not only to the greenery but also to the fresh air surrounding it. It is home to Asia's largest rose garden, the Chandigarh Rose Garden, which has over 16,000 varieties of rose species. However, the garden is seasonal, usually in full bloom during March but you can still enjoying strolling around even on the other months. Other seasonal gardens in the city are the Terraced Garden and Bougainvillea Garden. Unique gardens such as the Chandigarh Rock Garden, with various sculptures made of trash and other recyclable materials, and Pinjore Gardens, a terraced garden based upon the Mughal style, can also be found in the city. The Sukhna Lake is your best bet for adventure and fun with activities such as boating, sailing and yachting. To get that glimpse of the rich past of the city, just head on to the Capitol Complex, which was built by Le Corbusier, the architect who planned the city of Chandigarh. Here, you can find buildings made of raw unpolished concrete, very minimalist in design and exudes a European vibe. Must Visit Attractions - Chandigarh Rose Garden, Terraced Garden, Bougainvillea Garden, Chandigarh Rock Garden, Pinjore Gardens, Sukhna Lake and Capitol Complex Related Thread - Places to Visit in Chandigarh 5. Mysore (Karnataka) - Mysore can be designated as the City of Palaces, a place where the royal past of India can still be witnessed. The imposing grandeur of the Mysore Palace, the main attraction of the city, is a masterpiece of the Wodeyar dynasty, originally built during the 14th century. It blends in its architecture not one but an amalgamation of various styles such as Hindu, Islamic, Gothic and more. The smaller and mainly Hindu designed Jaganmohan Palace has now been turned into an art gallery. Marvel in the beauty of contemporary and traditional paintings of famous artists here. Other palaces worth exploring here are the Jayalakshmi Vilas Complex, a 19th century palace complex now housing important artefacts once owned by the royal family, and the Lalitha Mahal, now a heritage property boasting of a Victorian architecture. Two lakes can be found within the vicinity of the city as well, the Karanji Lake and the Kukkarahalli Lake, where you can indulge in bird watching all throughout the year. Last but not the least is the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, an enclosure having animals of various species such as zebras, elephants, giraffes, gorillas and more. Mysore generally experiences mild summers with temperatures not exceeding 39°C. This is because the city is located a few metres above sea level. Must Visit Attractions - Mysore Palace, Jaganmohan Palace, Jayalakshmi Vilas Complex, Lalitha Mahal, Karanji Lake, Kukkarahalli Lake and Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens Related Thread - Places to Visit in Mysore Mysore (Image from Anamoy) 6. Nashik (Maharashtra) - Nashik is one of the coldest cities in the plains of Maharashtra. During June, temperatures here usually remain around 35°C so it's definitely milder as compared to other cities. Nashik is home to many revered temples so for the devout Hindus, you can spend many hours here just paying your respects to Hindu deities. The most popular religious attraction here is the Trimbakeshwar Temple, about 30 minutes of driving from the city centre. Built purely out of granite stone, this ancient temple is 1 of the 12 Jyotirlingas of the Lord Shiva. Interestingly, the sanctum here holds an idol of Lord Shiva that is below ground level and can only be seen via mirror. The Kalaram Temple also has the same granite stone facade, intricately carved from the exteriors to the interiors. In contrast, this temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, with shrines for Sita and Lakshmana as well. Other temples worth visiting here are the Jain Temple and Muktidham Temple. Next is the Pandavleni Caves, a collection of 7th century rock-cut Buddhist caves, which has structures such as viharas, chaityas and more. Nashik is also known for its vineyards so it's a sin not to visit them here, best-rated ones are the Sula Vineyards and Vallone Vineyards. Must Visit Attractions - Trimbakeshwar Temple, Kalaram Temple, Jain Mandir, Muktidham Temple, Pandavleni Caves, Sula Vineyards and Vallone Vineyards Related Thread - Places to Visit in Nashik Of waves and sands... 7. Varkala (Kerala) - If you want to beat the heat without sweating, then your best options are beaches. Varkala in Kerala is a preferred destination for that because of its pristine beaches. The main beach here is the Varkala Beach, a stunning beach set amidst a cliffside location. With its golden sands and turquoise waters, you're bound to enjoy your time here. Indulge in various water sports such as jet skiing or surfing. Once you get tired, lay by the shores and enjoy the majestic sun rays above you. A developed beach, Varkala Beach has a number of resorts, hotels and restaurants within its premises. On the southern side of beach is the Papanasam Beach, which is more isolated but serene. You can enjoy the serenity here and sometimes, the ritualistic washing of the locals or devotees as the water here is believed to have healing properties. Last is the Kappil Beach, eight kilometres from the previous beach. Here, there are no tourist facilities or changing rooms. This is a golden shore beach with rocks strewn all along the shores. Do bring your own food and beverages when visiting this beach as there are limited dining options nearby. Must Visit Attractions - Varkala Beach, Papanasam Beach and Kappil Beach Related Thread - Places to Visit Near Trivandrum 8. Dapoli (Maharashtra) - Dapoli is a lesser known beach destination in Maharashtra. It has a number of secluded and beautiful beaches that also deserve the spotlight. The Karde Beach is its most lively beach, with blackish sands that give it a unique look. Its beauty is surreal, with one side having lush greenery and a mountain view. Weekend is the best time for families as there's an assortment of water sports available during that time like jet skiing, banana boat riding and water scootering. During summer, parasailing is also done here, a thrilling activity for the adventure seekers. We can refer to the Murud Beach, as the black sand beauty of Dapoli. It is very popular amongst locals and foreigners because activities like camel riding, horse riding, parasailing and more can be enjoyed here. For dolphin sighting, you have the Ladghar Beach for that, another popular beach in the village. It is on the commercialised side though and you'd find a variety of hotels and resorts near the beach. If you're looking for a more secluded option, head on to the Kolthare Beach, about 21 kilometres away from Dapoli. After a bumpy ride, this beach, surrounded by mountains on all three sides, would mesmerise you. The soft silver sands and the clear blue waters would also be perfect for swimming or just bumming around. Must Visit Attractions - Karde Beach, Murud Beach, Ladghar Beach and Kolthare Beach Related Thread - Places Near Pune for Weekend Karde Beach in Dapoli (Image from Ankur) 9. Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) - We've come to the end of our guide and what better way to do so by mentioning Visakhapatnam, the best beach destination of Andhra Pradesh. The crowded yet maintained Rama Krishna Beach is a favourite amongst locals because of its bustling vibe. The golden hued sands along with the large rocks strewn along it make for a nice background for the crashing of the waves. Everywhere you look, you would find evidences of a progressive city, yet in this area, nature seems to win. Restaurants and resorts are abundant as well so you can have many options for dining and staying. No water sports are allowed here though because the waves are generally rough. For water sports, do visit the Rushikonda Beach instead, a bit further from the city centre. You can enjoy jet skiing, water skiing and surfing here. This beach also has shallow water that gradually slopes so it's safe for swimming. About 15 kilometres from the city centre is the Yarada Beach, the hidden gem of the city. With its silky soft sands and clear waters, this is the best place for enjoying strolls or just frolicking in the water. As compared to the previous beaches though, this beach is less developed so make sure you bring some snacks and beverages with you when you visit. Still have time? Then venture into more distant beaches like the Bheemili Beach and Kondakarla Ava Beach, which are isolated and more pristine but not developed yet. Must Visit Attractions - Rama Krishna Beach, Rushikonda Beach, Yarada Beach, Bheemili Beach and Kondakarla Ava Beach Related Thread - Places to Visit in Andhra Pradesh Conclusion This ends our guide on the best places to visit in India during the month of June. In this guide, we have included some hill stations, which aren't as crowded or as chaotic since that can add to the summer heat. Cities worth exploring during this month were also included, those that aren't as hot or humid as Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai. And finally, you cannot complete a summer sightseeing guide without beaches, because to truly beat the heat, all you need is a bit of Vitamin Sea. I hope this helps you!
