Every monsoon season, I reminisce about having spent 1.5 years in Jaipur because it is both the best and the worst time to visit. People who have never visited Rajasthan often perceive the state as a desert. But you will be amazed to see how the state, graced by the mighty Aravallis, turns green during this time of the year. Due to poor drainage, waterlogging can make your experience challenging and unpredictable. So, it is important to know whether you should or should not visit Jaipur during the monsoon.
What to expect in Jaipur during monsoon?
Jaipur shows the true colors of rugged Rajasthan during the summer months. The trees are bare and leafless. It is a time when stray animals seek food, water, and local assistance. There is a stark contrast during the monsoon, and the greenery is uncanny.
You cannot make out how dry the city looks in the summers because, as a traveler, you’re least likely to visit then. At first glance, the thought of Jaipur in monsoon is clean and green. But it is important to go through the pros and cons to get an extensive idea of what to expect.
Pros
Off-season benefits
The monsoon season is the off-season for tourism in Jaipur, so you have the upper hand when booking hotels and bargaining at local markets.
I came to Jaipur for a business meeting in July 2022 (before moving in 2023) and stayed at Pearl Palace Heritage Hotel. The hotel has rooms with different city themes that depict the beauty and diversity of India.
We stayed in the Kashmir-themed deluxe room for 3,000 INR, whereas it was priced twice as much during the winter months.
Local markets like Bapu Bazaar and Johri Bazaar offer merchandise at competitive prices during this time. Low rush and comparatively reduced sales are perks that can come in handy. But most vendors in Jaipur are honest businessmen. As an Indian from another state, I have always been able to get the best price for jewelry in Jaipur.
Eating sweetcorn at Nahargarh View Point
During my visit to Jaipur in July 2022, I had booked an auto to visit Amer, Jaigarh and Nahargarh Forts. As we went up the Cheel Ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) to reach Jaigarh Fort, and then Nahargarh Fort, we passed the Jal Mahal viewpoint. The water palace looks mesmerizing from this vantage point and gets better when you can enjoy the view while having sweet corn. There was an old lady selling corn with a delightful smile. With Jal Mahal as her backdrop, I captured one of the best photos I could take with my OnePlus 9 Pro.
Peacocks sound everywhere
Peacocks are unpaid voice artists, and they brighten the feeling of living in Jaipur. While Indians are not allowed to pet peacocks, they are occasional visitors at Rambagh Palace and City Palace. Royal privilege much? Well! I was lucky to have sightings at Bar Palladio and Garh Cafe, but you will find them waltzing around on your way to Jaigarh Fort during the monsoons.
I saw peacocks up close on my way, and it was possible because of fewer crowds. One of them had its feathers spread, and I never imagined having a glimpse like in the wild.
Peacocks used to play games with me when I lived in Jaipur. The monsoon seems to be their favorite time, as they enjoy the rain and sing all the time. You might also find yourself inside the conundrum, trying to locate their very existence. The fun is to chase them as the voices get louder, even if you can’t locate them.
The terracotta hue of the Pink City
The Pink City is called pink, but when you come here, you’d realize the color tone is dark peach, not the way we know pink. The city was painted in this hue by Maharaja Ram Singh II to honor and welcome Prince Albert Edward during his visit in 1876. Since then, Pink City has remained as is, while the shops in the area have baby-pink shutters.
The contrasting color combination becomes even more evident during the monsoon because the rain adds depth, making the shade darker than it is. There is a dark terracotta tone that takes prominence, creating a shade we wouldn’t know the city could look like if it weren’t for the rains.
Cons
Floods
Imagine experiencing drizzling rain for 24 hours and finding the entire city flooded. It is the same if it rains heavily for 2-3 hours straight. Jaipur doesn’t have a regular drainage system because the city has never experienced heavy rainfall.
Every year, there are videos of Jaipur flooding, especially around Man Sagar Lake, where Jal Mal is located. This road leads to Amer, Jaigarh, and Nahargarh Forts, and during floods it is inaccessible until the water subsides.
Bad roads
The tourist area in Jaipur is well planned, but the place I used to live in was extremely difficult to navigate during the rains. I stayed in a vicinity called Sirsi Road, and the rains had the roads in front of our apartment and around waterlogged. So, there are parts of the city with bad roads, and the traffic situation is often chaotic. We would have been better off in Vaishali Nagar than on Sirsi Road. Yes! The rent prices were comparatively low here, but this isn’t something worth experiencing if it’s possibly avoidable.
No drainage system
Jaipur doesn’t have a proper drainage system, unlike in my hometown of Kolkata. During older times, there were Baoris (stepwells) managed by the royal family to store and harvest rainwater. These are now a part of archaeological studies and tourists’ exhibits.
Most cities have a drainage system to manage rainfall, but that isn’t the case for Jaipur. The city either waits for the sun to dry up the rainwater or creates a makeshift arrangement.
For example, the arrangement I saw in front of my house was filling the waterlogged area with bricks, cement, and debris. While this gave us a temporary solution, the more it rained, the worse it got.
Fear of potholes
When it rains heavily and there is waterlogging, the brown water cannot possibly make you see where your foot is. Potholes are especially risky to encounter when you’re trying to walk through waterlogged areas.
Many auto drivers feel scared to pass through these areas because they aren’t sure whether they’ll encounter potholes. Getting their wheels stuck in a pothole might make them stop driving midway. Often, it is hard for them to get their autos out of potholes and then get the vehicle up and running.
Unavailability of transport
One time, my partner and I went shopping at Bapu Bazaar, which was about 8 km from our house. We were almost done when it suddenly started raining, and we took shelter at LMB restaurant and had dinner. While the rain had stopped by the time we stepped out, we couldn’t get a vehicle back home for an hour.
I’d recommend that tourists always book hotels near the Pink City, so they never have to face what we did. But imagine being from another corner of the city and not getting a cab back home.
If you come to Jaipur during the monsoon, it is best to have a vehicle handy. Booking a car or auto for the whole day during your sightseeing expeditions will ensure there is someone always waiting to take you around.
Bathing multiple times for cleanliness
If you’re not from India, you should know that waterlogging in Jaipur isn’t just about the rains. It is about cow urine, spit, and other dirty liquids coming in contact with the rainwater. If you have to pass through water-logged areas and get your feet dirty, you must take a bath once you reach your stay.
Best time to visit Jaipur and Udaipur
If you want to explore Jaipur and Udaipur back-to-back, you have three options – monsoon, autumn, and winter. Ideally, wintertime in Rajasthan is cold and perfect. But the true magic of Udaipur is best exhibited during monsoon.
If your bucket list includes a leisurely stay at a lakeside hotel in Udaipur, you have to visit during the monsoon. But it is best if you come in early July to also make the most of Jaipur too!
August and September often experience heavy rainfall, making sightseeing difficult. But the entire experience of Jaipur in monsoon isn’t bad. It all depends on when you choose to visit and the intensity of the rain you experience.
We went to Udaipur in August 2023, and the rains were manageable. We were luckily not caught in our hotels all the time, but it did kill an hour or two the day we had to explore most of the tourist places. Late June to early July is a good time to explore both Jaipur and Udaipur if you’re looking for monsoon visits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When not to visit Jaipur?
May, June, August and September are months to avoid in Jaipur. While summer sets in during April, it is bearable for Indians during the first one or two weeks. The peak summer months kick in during May and last through June.
2. Where to visit in Jaipur during the rainy season?
Late June to early July is a safe time to visit Jaipur during the rainy season. Neither the summers nor the monsoons create havoc, and you can tick off your itinerary with ease.
3. Can I visit Jaipur in August?
You can visit Jaipur in August, but you have to be careful about where you stay and how you manage your whereabouts in case of floods.
While the water level rises and eventually dies down, periods of continuous rain come with no solutions. It is important to note that Jaipur in August is quite a gamble and is best avoided. Check the weather forecast to make impromptu travel plans instead of planning way ahead in time.
4. Is Jaipur worth visiting in July?
July is a calmer month to experience the lush greenery in Jaipur. If it doesn’t rain at all, you can experience receding summers during the early days. July marks the onset of the monsoon in Jaipur, and it is best to visit this place between July 1 and 15. After mid-July, the rains are more likely to get in the way of your travel plans.
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