Pune Weather in March

March: hot afternoons

March in Pune feels warm in the morning, then properly hot by afternoon. The high reaches 36°C, while evenings cool to around 18°C. Rain is scarce, so you're unlikely to lose sightseeing time to showers.

Shaniwar Wada and the old lanes around Laxmi Road work best before the heat builds. Save indoor stops, such as the Aga Khan Palace, for the stickiest part of the day. A long walk up Parvati Hill can feel tiring in the afternoon, so leave it for cooler hours. April gets hotter still, and November to January is more comfortable overall.

Holi and local colour

Holi, the spring festival of colours, often falls in March, though its date changes each year. Pune also celebrates Rangpanchami, when people play with coloured powder; its timing varies too. These festivities can bring noise, road closures and crowds in some areas. Ask locally about celebrations near your stay before setting out.

If you hate crowds, keep away from busy Holi gatherings and explore a quieter museum instead.

Crowds and useful tips

March sits outside Pune's most comfortable travel season, November to January. You'll generally find fewer visitors than in those cooler months, and stays may cost less than during peak season. Holi can briefly make popular areas busier, though, so the city won't feel equally quiet everywhere.

For a practical Pune-specific plan, visit Aga Khan Palace in the afternoon, then take an auto-rickshaw towards Koregaon Park for dinner. Try misal pav, a spicy local curry with bread, if you're happy with a hot meal after a hot day. Keep Parvati Hill for the evening; its steep steps are less punishing once the sun eases.