Where should I start, north or south?

Hi all, I'm finishing up planning for my first trip to India to begin in mid Feb and lasting at least 6 months. I haven't book my flight yet and was hoping to you kind souls could help me figure out what city to fly into. My itinerary is rough and very flexible but I have my 'must see' spots in the north (Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Haridwar, Rishikesh), south (Pondicherry, Tiruvannamalai, Rameswaram, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangolore), and others (Goa, Mumbai, aurangabad).

My question is taking into account weather and monsoon season where should I start? Mumbai etc then south then north? south then Mumbai etc then north?

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated

south to north
hit the Himalayas by mid-april
can come back down when rains start if you like

YAH South to north fine.But make sure you wont touch summer at North ),if you dont mind summer then ok.

I suggest you fly into New Delhi in mid-Feb. and see the North first, from mid-Feb to mid-April. The first thirty days on the plains, the next thirty in the hills.

Then head for Goa, then Kerala. Leave Kerala by mid-May and head for the other places in South.

Mumbai and Aurangabad in the first fortnight of August, before you fly out of Mumbai by mid-August.

Is going north to south in march a good idea? Or would it be too hot to travel by that time? (delhi-agra-varanasi-jaipur-udaipur-mumbai?)

xairoise,

The route you have planned will not be too hot in March.

Go ahead.

it's bit off topic. just wanted to say i just LOVE this place.
It's nice to know that there are people out there that have the same thought, dounbts and questions and it's possible to find an answer for any question i have.