The best time to visit is October to February, after the monsoon has cleared the air and before the pre-monsoon heat sets in. The beach is at its best in this period — calm, clear water and cool evenings. Avoid the monsoon (June to September), when the sea is rough and travel on the coastal road can be disrupted by landslides. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival in August or September draws large numbers of pilgrims to the Swayambhu Ganpati Temple.