Avoid
Khajuraho in May
Madhya Pradesh, India
May bakes Khajuraho at 38-46°C. The temples shimmer in heat haze. Tourist numbers approach zero. The Sound and Light show continues (evening temperatures are merely warm, not scorching). The sculptures that have survived 1000 years of weather endure another May; visitors, with their shorter history, struggle. Dawn visits only.
The May story
There is no leisure case for May Khajuraho. The sandstone at 46°C radiates stored heat that makes standing near the temples physically uncomfortable. If stranded: dawn visit (5:30-8am) only. The temple interiors (Kandariya Mahadeva's main sanctum) are slightly cooler. The museum is air-conditioned. The Sound and Light show at 7:30pm is tolerable. Otherwise, stay indoors. Hotel prices bottom out: Rs 600-1500 for decent rooms. The town's restaurants serve cold lassi and ice cream with the desperation of a community that knows tourism won't return until October. For planning purposes: book November-February visits months in advance. The Dance Festival (February) tickets go fast. Khajuraho airport connects to Delhi and Varanasi — the Delhi-Khajuraho-Varanasi circuit is the recommended cultural triangle.
Why May scores 1/5
Weather
Extreme 28-46°C. Exposed temple platforms dangerous midday. Sandstone burns feet. ASI guards warn tourists about heatstroke. Monument virtually empty. Avoid.
Roads & Access
self drive: Easy roads but long stretches between towns. road condition: Good state highway from Jhansi. Single lane in parts. public transport: Daily flights from Delhi and Varanasi. Bus from Jhansi. Limited rail (Khajuraho station small). from nearest city: Jhansi — 175km, 4hr by road. Khajuraho Airport has flights from Delhi/Varanasi. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: District administration Chhatarpur. helpline: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance). ambulance: 108 ambulance available. police station: Khajuraho PS — near temple complex. nearest hospital: Khajuraho CHC — basic. District Hospital Chhatarpur — 45km
Network
VI: Yes, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Good 4G in town. Patchy signal on road to Panna NP
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Flat terrain easy to walk, UNESCO World Heritage temples, Light and sound show is engaging, Small town easy to navigate
Elevation
283m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Nobody should target May specifically
- ✓Transit tourists stopping briefly en route
- ✓Budget travellers tolerating 46°C for Rs 600 rooms
- ✓Sound and Light show evening visitors only
Who should think twice
- ✗All leisure travellers with schedule flexibility
- ✗Families and elderly — 46°C is medically dangerous
- ✗Anyone expecting comfortable temple visits — impossible midday
- ✗Photographers needing more than a 2-hour dawn window
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4/5 | Cool 8-22°C. Perfect for exploring temple complex all day. Erotic carvings best viewed in angled winter light. Sound-and-light show atmospheric. Few tourists. |
| February | 5/5 | Best month, 10-25°C. Khajuraho Dance Festival (Feb) — classical dance performances against temple backdrop. Pleasant weather, cultural highlight. Book hotels early. |
| March | 4/5 | Warming 15-30°C. Still comfortable mornings for temple exploration. Sculptures in spring light. Afternoons warming. Holi celebrations in town colourful. |
| April | 2/5 | Hot 22-40°C. Temple complex has no shade — sandstone platforms radiate heat. Sculptures hard to appreciate when drenched in sweat. Dawn visits only. |
| Mayviewing | 1/5 | Extreme 28-46°C. Exposed temple platforms dangerous midday. Sandstone burns feet. ASI guards warn tourists about heatstroke. Monument virtually empty. Avoid. |
| June | 1/5 | Worst heat 30-45°C with early monsoon humidity. Temple viewing miserable. Sound-and-light show cancelled some nights. No relief outdoors. Do not visit. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon 27-36°C. Some rain cools temples. Sculptures dramatic in overcast light. Temple grounds slippery when wet. Few tourists — uncrowded darshan. |
| August | 2/5 | Full monsoon, 26-34°C. Intermittent heavy rain. Temple complex wet and slippery. Surrounding landscape green. Humidity high. Museums offer indoor alternative. |
| September | 3/5 | Rain receding, 25-33°C. Still warm. Temple grounds drying. Green surroundings contrast nicely with sandstone. Crowds thin. Decent shoulder-season visit. |
| October | 5/5 | Excellent 18-32°C. Post-monsoon clarity. Temples in golden autumn light — sculptures photographable all day. Sound-and-light show returns. Perfect conditions. |
| November | 5/5 | Ideal 12-28°C. Cool, dry, clear — best weather for temple exploration. Western group comfortable all day. Panna National Park nearby for combo trip. |
| December | 4/5 | Cool 7-22°C. Crisp mornings at temples. Low-angle winter sun reveals sculpture details beautifully. Fog possible at dawn. Sound-and-light show excellent. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Jhansi — 175km, 4hr by road. Khajuraho Airport has flights from Delhi/Varanasi. Roads: Good state highway from Jhansi. Single lane in parts. Self-drive: Easy roads but long stretches between towns. Public transport: Daily flights from Delhi and Varanasi. Bus from Jhansi. Limited rail (Khajuraho station small). Last stretch: easy
Elevation
283m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
mid-range
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