Rishikesh in January: mild, sunny days and cold, misty mornings
What the weather is like, what to do, which day trips work in winter, and how the Ardh Kumbh in nearby Haridwar changes January 2027 — with a live forecast.
- ~20° / 7 °C January (Dehradun IMD ref.)
- 14 Jan 2027 Ardh Kumbh begins, Haridwar
- ~25 km to Haridwar
- No snow mild river town
Photo: meg and rahul, CC BY 2.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
January is Rishikesh’s coolest month, but it is mild by day. Afternoons average about 20 °C and nights about 7 °C (Dehradun IMD normals, used as a reference), with cold, often foggy mornings by the river. It never snows here, which makes Rishikesh a comfortable winter choice for yoga, the evening Ganga aarti, walks along the river and day trips. In 2027 there is one big difference: the Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar, about 25 km away, begins on 14 January 2027 (Makar Sankranti), so expect heavy traffic and crowds around the bathing dates.
- WeatherAbout 19.7° / 6.6 °C, ~44 mm of rain (Dehradun IMD reference).
- MorningsCold and often foggy by the river; sunny afternoons.
- Ardh KumbhHaridwar, 14 January – 20 April 2027; first snan 14 January.
- SnowNever in Rishikesh; Mussoorie and Dhanaulti are the nearest snow.
- PackWarm layers for mornings and evenings, light clothes for the afternoon.
Rishikesh, Haridwar and Mussoorie weather today
Rishikesh (about 340 m), Haridwar (about 315 m) and Mussoorie (about 2,005 m) above — current temperature and the next days’ high, low and rain.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
What is the weather like in Rishikesh in January?
Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the hills, at about 340 m. January days are usually sunny and pleasant, around 20 °C in the afternoon, while nights fall to about 7 °C and mornings by the river are cold and often misty. A western disturbance brings a few grey or rainy days in most Januaries.
Rishikesh has no recent published IMD normals, so the figures below are Dehradun’s (IMD 1991–2020), about 40 km away and a little higher — Rishikesh is usually similar or slightly warmer by day.
| Month | Day / night (Dehradun IMD ref.) | Rain | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 21.7° / 7.6 °C | 13 mm | Cool; foggy mornings |
| January | 19.7° / 6.6 °C | 44 mm | Mild days, cold foggy mornings |
| February | 22.5° / 9.2 °C | 58 mm | Pleasant |
Full month-by-month figures: Rishikesh weather · December: Rishikesh in December · Haridwar and the Kumbh: Haridwar weather.
Rishikesh by the Ganga
The river, the ghats, the bridges and the evening aarti — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Things to do in Rishikesh in January
Best done with the sun up, after the morning chill lifts.
Evening Ganga aarti
The daily river ceremony at dusk; arrive early and dress warmly.
Yoga and meditation
Winter is a calm, comfortable season for courses and drop-in classes.
Riverside walks
Sunny afternoon walks along the ghats and the old bridges.
Kunjapuri sunrise
A hilltop temple with a wide view of the snow peaks on a clear morning.
Neelkanth Mahadev
A forest drive to the temple above the Ganga.
Rishikesh in January: Kumbh dates, travel and packing
Ardh Kumbh 2027: the Kumbh in Haridwar runs from 14 January to 20 April 2027. The January–February bathing dates are 14 January (Makar Sankranti), 6 February (Mauni Amavasya), 11 February (Basant Panchami) and 20 February (Magh Purnima) — around these days, roads between Rishikesh and Haridwar are very busy, so plan your arrival and departure on other days.
Getting there: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport is about 20 km away; Haridwar and Rishikesh have railway stations. Winter fog can delay morning trains and flights. Cab: Dehradun taxi service.
Packing: a warm jacket and layers for mornings and evenings, light clothes for the afternoon sun, and comfortable shoes for the ghats.
Our Uttarakhand trips
Hotels, meals and a private car in one quote.
Planning Rishikesh in January?
Tell us your dates and group. We plan around the Kumbh bathing days and the weather, and send one written quote with hotel, meals and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, and plans trips across north India.
Rishikesh in January: frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit Rishikesh?
Yes — days are mild and sunny, ideal for yoga, the Ganga aarti and walks. Mornings are cold and foggy, and the Kumbh in Haridwar brings crowds around the bathing dates.
How cold is Rishikesh in January?
About 20 °C by day and 7 °C at night on average (Dehradun IMD reference).
Does it snow in Rishikesh?
No. The nearest places with a chance of snow in January are Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Surkanda Devi.
When does the Ardh Kumbh 2027 start?
On 14 January 2027 (Makar Sankranti) in Haridwar; it runs until 20 April 2027.
How far is Rishikesh from Haridwar?
About 25 km by road.
How far is Rishikesh from Dehradun airport?
About 20 km from Jolly Grant airport.
Sources
- India Meteorological Department — Dehradun climatological normals 1991–2020 (reference for Rishikesh)
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
Rishikesh across the Ganga — Photo: meg and rahul, CC BY 2.0 · Sunset at Lakshman Jhula — Photo: Tylersundance, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The Ganga valley — Photo: Guptaele, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ghats on the Ganga — Photo: Baap8969, CC0 · The Ganga below the Shivaliks — Photo: Nittu Gogoi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Evening aarti at Parmarth Niketan — Photo: आर्या जोशी, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The river and the hills — Photo: Man, CC BY 2.0 · A suspension bridge over the Ganga — Photo: ビッグアップジャパン from EARTH, EARTH, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Green hills over the Ganga — Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0
