Best Places to Visit in India in September

Wondering which are the best places to visit in India in September…but the first question that needs to be answered is whether or not one should be traveling in September in India or why - if at all - should you plan your holiday in India in September.

So here we go!

Some of the best cultural festivals in India take place in September. September is also the time of the year that marks the transition from monsoon season to the winter in India. Effectively, the autumn in India, although you won’t get the postcard perfect images of the shedding of leaves from deciduous trees as you see in many of the amazingly beautiful images from across USA.
Here…this is what I am talking about!

There are many places in India which are best visited in the month of September. Some are the best places to enjoy rain and monsoon in India whereas are some are best visited to attend some of the most bizarre and popular festivals in India. Then for adventure lovers it’s a good time for trekking in Himalayas up North. So here we start - in no particular order - with our list of top places to visit in India in September.

[Or if you are sure about destinations skip straight to packages by destination page]

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the reason why Mumbai is one of the best places to be in in September

Since we mentioned that you should travel in September because it is the time for some of the amazing cultural festivals across India, we couldn't help but mention Mumbai in our list of top places  in India to visit in September. One of the craziest and fun filled festivals of India is observed this time of the year at its best in Mumbai.

The Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great gusto. This festival marks the birth of revered Hindu god Ganesha. Huge pandals are setup and elaborately adorned statue of the elephant god is installed. Many a pandals are sponsored by politicians and don't be surprised if you find Bollywood stars making appearance and performing at some of these pandals. 

The final days of the festivities is marked by the parade through the streets accompanied by lots of singing and dancing before the idol of Ganesha is finally immersed in the ocean. To attend this festival you need to be in Mumbai in September.

Besides the Ganesha Chaturthi, there are several other things to keep you on your toes during your trip to Mumbai. Trip to Alibaug, Haji Ali, Gateway of India, Siddhivinayak Temple and World Heritage Site Elephanta Caves are some of the top things to do in and around Mumbai.

Kovalam, Kerala

Samudra Beach Trivandrum Sunset at Kovalam

Considered as the ‘Paradise of the South’, Kovalam is one of the most popular beach destinations in India. There are 3 beautiful beaches in that together form the crescent beach of this town in Kerala. The tree beaches are named Hawa or Eve's beach, Samudra beach and Lighthouse beach, the latter being the most popular of the Kovalam beach.

Kovalam gained international fame in 1970's when it was "discovered" by hippies as an ideal refuge. With its serene beaches, favorable weather and coconut palm fringed landscape; it soon gained international acclaim as a beach destination.

Since then, this beach town in Kerala has come a long way. It now boasts of some of the finest beachfront luxury hotels, authentic Ayurveda treatment centers and a booming tourism based economy.

Kovalam is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in India due to its romantic setting. But it is also one of the popular destinations for family holidays in India.

This town also happens to be a renowned center for Ayurveda in India. People from around the world visit this beach destination to avail holistic Ayurvedic treatments at some of the finest Ayurveda centers in Kerala.

The best time to visit Kovalam is the tropical season making it one of the best places to visit in India in September. The best time to visit Kovalam is from September till March.

Yet another reason why you should travel to Kovalam in September is the harvest festival Onam which is celebrated grandly all across Kerala. Delicious cuisine, festive ambiance and joy in the air as well as cultural performances all across add to the holiday experience around this time of the year in Kerala.

Kovalam is well connected by road and the nearest airport - Trivandrum International Airport - is located just 15 kilometers away. The nearest railway station to reach is also located 15 kilometers away in Trivandrum.

Khandala, Maharastra

Nothing beats the view of monsoon-replenished hills and landscape as does a visit to Khandala nestled in the Sahyadris Range of Western Ghats.

The misty mountains, floating clouds and waterfalls bestow a magical charm to this hill town which is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Mumbai and Pune and one of the top monsoon holidays in India together with its neighbor Lonavala.

The scenery is straight out of a fairy tale of a fantasy book plot of an enchanted land. Then there are places to visit and things to do in here but that definitely comes later. The foremost thing to enjoy Khandala during monsoon is to do nothing and you would do all that you have come to do.

For restless souls who prefer to remain footloose, Rajmachi Fort, Amrutanjan Point, Duke’s Nose Peak and Karla Hills (2 of the popular places for rock climbing) are the things to do in Khandala.

But above all, it’s the nature trails and the thrilling views of the rejuvenated forest laden hills and dripping water streams that remain the most appealing aspect of trip to Khandala the receding monsoon at this time of year makes Khandala one of the best places to visit in India in September.

Chettinad, Tamil Nadu

Located in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, Chettinad is the home of the Nattukottai Chettiars, an affluent banking and business community. The tourist attractions in Chettinad will help one to reconstruct the simple yet classy lifestyle. Some of the interesting tourist attractions in Chettinad are the museums such as the Kamban Mani Mandapam. The palatial mansions makes Chettinad a place of rare charm and a must visit destination. 

Lachen, North Sikkim

This small town in Sikkim has recently been open to the tourists as there is much more to explore and discover. If adventure is remotely on your mind, you’ll be in for a treat. Besides challenging trekking trails, Lachen offers you a number of adventure sports. On the other hand, nature lovers can take pleasure in the awe-inspiring beauty and stillness of this town. It is one of the best places to visit in September. 

[See our tastefully crafted Sikkim Tour Packages to plan your trip]

Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir

One of the most beautiful cities in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Pahalgam is a preferred tourist destination for family outings and is a preferred honeymoon destination as well. Some of the places to choose for trekking in Pahalgam include the names such as Lidderwat, Kolhoi and Sonmarg. Other than the sightseeing, the wildlife in Pahalgam is limited to the months of winter only. So if you are planning your visit in the month of September, the best is to skip wildlife tour from your sightseeing list. 

Coorg (Kodagu), Tamil Nadu

Also known as Coorg, Kodagu is a popular holiday destination in Karnataka. The mesmerizing beauty of the surroundings also echoes through the myriad tourist attractions. Small villages along the way will give you ample scope to explore rich culture and heritage of Coorg. The aromatic fragrance of coffee, the verdant greens and the untouched beauty of Kodagu is packaged for you. If you are planning a vacation, you can opt for a Coorg travel guide, which contains all necessary information regarding tourists. September is the month when you can explore the beauty of Kodagu. 

Dudhsagar Falls , Goa

Dubbed as Goa’s most scenic picnic venues, the Dudhsagar Falls derives its name from the Konkani term which translates which means “the Ocean of Milk”. There is a small pond at the base of this waterfall. Some daring people take bath here.

Water is quite chilly and current is exceptionally rapid. It comes under the territory of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam. July to October is the best time to explore the Dudhsagar Waterfalls when the monsoon season transforms the fall into a shimmering flow of foaming water. 

[Don't miss-out to plan for monsoon holidays in India] 

Kalimpong, West

Situated in Darjeeling in West Bengal, Kalimpong is a small town at an elevation of 1250 meters above sea level. The beautiful hill station has an abundance of lush green forests along with dense tea plantations. The small town of Kalimpong is also bustling with big flower markets and a prime source of orchid flowers in the entire north-east of India.

It is very well-connected with some other tourist destinations of North Bengal, which are breathtakingly beautiful. Travelers, who are not in a mood of making further journey, could also have a great time taking tours of the attractions in the vicinity of Kalimpong. 

Har ki Doon Trek

Himalayas, the world’s highest mountain range, has some of the most spectacular lakes, glaciers, forests and wildlife. There are so many adventure treks in Himalayas which include the famous Har ki Doon Trek. At the base of Fateh Parvat, Har ki Doon is a cradle shaped valley surrounded by dense forests of pines and glittering mountain peaks. The diverse nature’s scenic vistas make it the most sought after destination for trekkers. June to October is the best time for trekking in Har ki Doon. During the rest of the years, the region remains either cold or wet.  

[Har ki Doon Trek is featured on our list of Top 20 Trekking Destinations in Uttarakhand]

Related Post:

Places to visit in India in February
Places to visit in India in  March
Places to visit in India in April
Places to visit in India in May
Places to visit in India in June and July 
Places to visit in India in August
Places to visit in India in October
Places to visit in India in November
Places to visit in India in December

Last updated on 09-09-2014 by Nikhil Chandra