Summer Season in Kerala: Mid March to Mid June:
After the summer equinox on March 21st, temperature starts climbing and this marks the beginning of summer in Kerala. Relatively higher temperature, low rainfall and slightly humid weather are the characteristics of the summer season in Kerala. When compared to other Indian states where temperature soars to over 40°C, summers in Kerala are cool and pleasant, thanks to the Western Ghats which prevent the dry northern winds from entering the state and the Arabian sea for the cool breeze that blows towards the land providing it with a moderate temperature. Erratic rains accompanied by lightening and thunder are another feature of the season. Starting from April, summer season continues till the middle of June, and is followed with the outset of South West Monsoons. These are the best months for visiting Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Beaches and Backwaters. It is a good time for adventure activities like Trekking, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Jeep safari, Boating and Bird watching.
The major festival during this season is ‘Vishu’, which is traditionally celebrated as a Spring Harvest Festival in Kerala. Vishu signifies the sun's transit into the Meda Raasi (first zodiac sign) according to Indian Astrological calculations, and falls on the day that has equal number of hours of daylight and darkness, which describes the origin of the word "Vishu" which in Sanskrit means "equal”. It is also a season of tropical fruits like mangoes, jackfruits, cashew apples etc.