March in Gandikota is the transition month. Daytime 31-33C, nights 20-21C, humidity 50 percent, rainfall under 20mm. Pre-monsoon dust haze begins to compromise the deep-gorge visibility through the last fortnight. Gandikota Fort walks compress to pre-11am and post-5pm — the granite-and-sandstone fort plateau heats sharply through late morning and the exposed-sun crossings of the 13-acre fort interior become heat-stress-limited. The Madhavaraya Swamy temple at full visibility (cool stone interior at any hour). Jamia Masjid workable through morning. The Pennar gorge sunset cliff position workable from 5pm onwards. The cliff descent to the Pennar river-bed compresses to morning only — the rocky path retains heat through afternoon. APTDC Haritha at moderate-to-full weekend booking. The 80km Belum Caves cross-trip continues; Belum Caves underground temperature stays consistent year-round so the cross-trip combination works through March. Hotel rates ease 20 percent off February: APTDC Haritha ₹2,200-3,800; Tadipatri-Jammalamadugu guest houses ₹900-2,000. Last clean-comfort window before April heat dome opens — the Rayalaseema plains here run 40-44C through Apr-Jun.

Why March scores 8.0/10