Best Time to Visit Dombivali

November to January: the easy months

This is when Dombivali is at its best. Days are warm but not harsh, and evenings turn cool enough for a light jumper. November and December both rate Excellent, and January is Good. It barely rains, and the skies are mostly clear.

Dombivali is a suburb on Mumbai's Central line, so most people come to see family or use it as a base. These months suit that well. You can walk the lanes around Dombivali East without melting. You can also make day trips into Mumbai, or out to the hills around Karjat, without worrying about downpours.

Diwali usually falls in October or November. The lanes light up and sweet shops get busy. Dombivali is also known for its Gudi Padwa procession, the Marathi New Year parade, which comes in March or April. Locals dress in traditional clothes, and the street fills with floats and drums.

February to May: hot and dry

February is Fair and still pleasant in the mornings. After that it climbs fast. March and April are rated Poor, and April is the hottest month, with highs of 40°C. Afternoons are heavy and sunny, and you'll want to stay indoors from midday.

May is hot too, and the nights stay warm. A few storms start to roll in. If you hate heat, skip these months. If you come for Gudi Padwa, stick to the early morning and evening, when the procession and street life are at their best.

June to September: monsoon

The rains arrive in June and don't let up. July is the wettest month, with 988 mm falling on all 30 days. August and September are also very wet. Sun is rare, and humidity sits near 90%.

Be honest with yourself about this season. Trains can run late when tracks flood, and that matters because the Central line is how you get around. Roads can clog too. On the plus side, the hills outside the city turn green, and Ganesh Chaturthi in late August or September brings lively processions and pandals, the decorated tents that house the idols. Travelling with kids or elderly relatives? Choose another season.

October: the in-between month

October is Fair. The rain fades to about 12 wet days, but it's still humid. It's a fine choice if you want to catch Navratri and Diwali preparations without the monsoon, as long as you're happy with the odd shower.