The best time to visit Rourkela is from October to February, when the weather is dry, cool, and clear. Temperatures range from about 10°C at night to 25°C in the day. This is also the best window for waterfalls and outdoor sights — Khandadhar is still full from the monsoon but the roads are dry.
March to June is hot, with temperatures regularly above 40°C, and not much fun for sightseeing. The monsoon runs from June to September: heavy rain, muddy roads, and the air is thick and grey, but the surrounding forests turn a brilliant green and Khandadhar waterfall is at its most spectacular. The Rath Yatra in June or July is the city's biggest religious festival.