Varanasi Monsoon and River Rise: What It Means for Ganges Flooding and Pilgrim Tourism
Everything live for Varanasi, in one place.
Air is unhealthy today and better than yesterday. Expect heavy rain after 5 AM. It will feel hotter than the thermometer says.
📊 Cost of Living & Breathing Index in Varanasi: 60/100 (Fair)
Rank #154 of 261 tracked cities · flat vs 30 days ago
What's driving this score
Score starts at 100 and only tracks two things: today's air quality and how the local fuel price compares to the national average. Varanasi's AQI of 329 took off 40 points; fuel here is at or below the national average and took off 0 more - leaving 60/100. This isn't a full cost-of-living measure, only these two.
🕒 Updated 1 Sep 2026, 6:31pm
🌬️ Live Air Quality in Varanasi Today: 335 (Very Poor)
Down 6 points from yesterday
Last 7 days
Pollutant breakdown
CO is driving Varanasi's Air Quality Index (AQI) right now - it's the pollutant with the worst sub-index, which is what the overall number is based on (the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)'s National AQI methodology takes the worst reading, not an average).
🕒 Updated 2 Sep, 4:20 AM IST · next refresh in ~334 min
🌦️ Live Weather in Varanasi Today: 29°C, Light rain shower
81% humidity · down 0° yesterday
Today, hour by hour
🕒 Updated 2 Sep, 4:35 AM IST · next refresh in ~3 min
⛽ Varanasi Petrol and Diesel Rates Today: ₹102.51 and ₹95.96
Petrol up ₹0.20 yesterday
🕉 Varanasi Auspicious Times for Today
Sunrise 6:23 AM · Sunset 7:07 PM · Rahu Kalam 3:57 PM-5:33 PM
🏦 Varanasi Bank Status Today: Open
Banks open today · next closure 4 Sep
Banks in Uttar Pradesh are open today.
Next closure: Janmashtami/Krishna Jayanthi, 4 Sep (in 2 days)🔔 Weather Alerts for Varanasi Today
No active IMD weather alerts for Uttar Pradesh right now.
📍 Compare Varanasi with Nearby Cities
vs Chandauli, Shravasti and 4 more nearby cities
| City | Distance | AQI | vs Varanasi | Temp | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varanasi YOU ARE HERE | — | 335 | — | 29°C | 65% |
| Chandauli 🌦️ 🌬️ ⛽ | 28 km | — | — | 29°C | 65% |
| Shravasti 🌦️ 🌬️ ⛽ | 31 km | — | — | 29°C | 81% |
| Prayagraj 🌦️ 🌬️ ⛽ | 31 km | 318 | ✓ 5% better | 29°C | 81% |
| Kaushambi 🌦️ 🌬️ ⛽ | 31 km | — | — | 29°C | 81% |
| Chitrakoot 🌦️ 🌬️ ⛽ | 31 km | — | — | 29°C | 81% |
| Bhadohi 🌦️ 🌬️ ⛽ | 45 km | — | — | 29°C | 65% |
🌾 Live Varanasi Mandi Prices Today: Onion ₹3,500
Showing 1–1 of 1 markets
Varanasi APMC (Varanasi)1 item
- Onion₹3,500/q
📮 Varanasi PIN Codes / Postal Index Number
265 post offices across 39 PIN codes in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Showing 31–60 of 265 post offices
| Post Office | Pincode | Office Type | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bathauli BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bazardiha BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221106 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bela BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | BO | Delivery |
|
Belpco SO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221010 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Belwan BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221206 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bengalitola SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221001 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Benipur Kundariya BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221307 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bhadawan BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bhagwanpur BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221005 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bhelupura SO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221010 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Bhikhampur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221403 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bhitkuri BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221403 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bhonda BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221201 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bhopapur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221202 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bhu H SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221005 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Bhulanpur Pac SO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221108 | PO | Delivery |
|
Birapatti BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221105 | BO | Delivery |
|
Birbhanpur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221311 | BO | Delivery |
|
Bunker Market SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221001 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Chahania S.O. Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
232114 | PO | Delivery |
|
Chamaon BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221003 | BO | Delivery |
|
Chandmari SO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221003 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Chandrawati BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221116 | BO | Delivery |
|
Chaubepurkhurd BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | BO | Delivery |
|
Chaubeypur SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221104 | PO | Delivery |
|
Chetganj SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221001 | PO | Non Delivery |
|
Chhitauni BO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221104 | BO | Delivery |
|
CHIRAIGAON SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221112 | PO | Delivery |
|
Chiurapur BO Varanasi West Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221204 | BO | Delivery |
|
Cholapur SO Varanasi East Division · Uttar Pradesh Circle |
221101 | PO | Delivery |
🔥 Gas Price
How is Varanasi's AQI calculated?
The Air Quality Index combines PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, SO₂, CO and O₃ readings from CPCB-monitored stations into one 0–500 score, using whichever pollutant reads worst as the overall number rather than an average of all of them. Today the dominant pollutant driving that number in Varanasi is CO. Varanasi's current AQI of 335 falls in the "Very Poor" band (301–400).
Is Varanasi's air quality safe today?
Not fully - Varanasi is at Very Poor today (AQI 335). Avoid outdoor exertion. Wear a mask outside; sensitive groups should stay indoors.
Why does 29°C feel like 34°C in Varanasi?
"Feels like" factors in humidity and wind on top of the actual air temperature. At 81% humidity and 20 kph wind, Varanasi's air right now feels hotter than the thermometer reading - high humidity slows sweat evaporation, so your body sheds heat less efficiently than the raw air temperature alone would suggest.
What are today's petrol and diesel prices in Varanasi?
Petrol is ₹102.51/L, diesel ₹95.96/L, for Varanasi. Fuel prices are revised daily and can vary slightly by station. The base crude and refinery cost is the same nationwide - state VAT and cess are what make petrol cheaper or pricier just across a state line.
Why does Varanasi's gold price match the national rate?
Gold is one national spot rate, not set city by city - Varanasi's price tracks the same international gold market and the day's USD/INR exchange rate as everywhere else in India.
Are banks open in Varanasi today?
Yes - banks in Uttar Pradesh are open today. Next closure: Janmashtami/Krishna Jayanthi, 4 Sep.
What is Rahu Kalam in Varanasi today?
Rahu Kalam in Varanasi today runs from 3:57 PM to 5:33 PM. Hindu tradition treats this window as inauspicious for starting new ventures, travel, or important decisions.
Why Check Varanasi's Weather and AQI?
Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and among Hinduism's most significant pilgrimage sites, built along the ghats of the Ganges where the daily Ganga Aarti ceremony draws large crowds of pilgrims and tourists every evening. Weather here isn't background information for visitors - it directly determines whether the riverside ghats are even accessible.
Ganges Flooding and Pilgrim Tourism Impact
During the monsoon, the Ganges regularly rises enough to submerge the lower ghats entirely, forcing rituals and boat rides to relocate or pause for weeks at a time - a recurring seasonal event locals plan around. Winter fog also affects the city's airport, which handles significant pilgrim and tourist traffic. Track Varanasi weather before planning a ghat visit or sunrise boat ride during monsoon season.
Seasonal Guide
Oct-Mar: Peak Pilgrim Season - Cool, comfortable conditions and full ghat access; December-January fog can delay flights.
Apr-Jun: Extreme Heat - Highs regularly exceed 43°C; outdoor rituals shift to early morning and evening.
Jul-Sep: Monsoon and River Rise - The Ganges frequently floods the lower ghats; check Varanasi AQI and river levels together before a ghat visit.
Data Methodology
Weather and AQI figures are drawn from public government monitoring sources and refreshed regularly. See Uttar Pradesh weather and AQI for how Varanasi compares with other cities in the state.