Folk drums before Nandi: the Sankranti evening at Sadhguru Sannidhi
By late afternoon on 14 January, the light goes gold over the Nandi hills and the plaza at Sadhguru Sannidhi fills with people who have come up from Bengaluru and from towns across Karnataka. Folk artists take the stage before the Nandi; the Maha Arati to Adiyogi follows, then Adiyogi Divya Darshanam. The evening runs 7:00–8:30 PM, seating is free and open to all with no registration, and the whole thing is livestreamed at 7:00 PM if you would rather watch from the city. Earlier, from 5:00–6:00 PM, Sadhguru leads the Yogeshwara Linga Aradhane — a registered-participants-only process for ages 8 and up. If you are going, aim to arrive by 5:00 PM to see the consecrated spaces before the main event. The venue sits near Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura district, about 65 km north of Bengaluru.
Ten days of jaatre: stalls, street games and local food
From 10 to 14 January the grounds host a jaatre — a village fair with stalls, traditional games, local food and music. This is the part you can wander: graze the food stalls, watch the games, and let the music pull you from one end to the other. Food and water are sold on site, but bring cash — connectivity is limited and cards and UPI are not accepted. Outside food is not allowed, and there is no overnight accommodation at the venue, so plan your return to the city.
Getting there from the city
The site is roughly 45 km and 60 minutes from Kempegowda International Airport, and about 63 km and 80 minutes from Cantonment Railway Station. A daily direct KSRTC bus leaves Majestic Bus Stand from Platform 1/1A, Terminal 2, opposite Hotel Kadamba; other buses run via Chikkaballapura town. By road, take NH44 to Isha Junction at Lingasettipura, then 5 km. Parking is limited and paid. Taxis are available. Announcements are made in Kannada and English.
- Open to all aged 8 and over; no prior Isha programme needed, and international visitors are welcome — bring your passport for in-person registration.
- Spot registration is available at the venue; counters close one hour before the event.
- No dress code, though ethnic Indian wear is preferred; chairs are available on request; there is no childcare.
- Paid offerings can be pre-booked at arpanam.sadhguru.org/rituals: Ananya Mannu Seva (INR 21,000, in person on 14 January), Yogeshwara Linga Seve (INR 1,200, 14 January), Dhanya Samarpane (INR 2,000, 10–14 January), Sapta Pushpanjali (INR 660, online) and Thuppadha Deepa Arpane (INR 40 per lamp, online).
- For queries: sadhgurusannidhi.blr@isha.sadhguru.org or the helpline, 080-471-91101.
Planning around the date
Sankranti falls on 14 January, and the jaatre runs 10–14 January. The programme above is drawn from the 2026 celebration; no 2027 dates have been published, so treat the timing as the pattern the venue keeps each year and confirm details with the venue before you book travel. January days in Bengaluru are mild, which makes the fairground comfortable for a long afternoon and the evening plaza bearable after dark.
Start with the bus from Majestic or a taxi up NH44, book any offering you want in advance, and keep cash in your pocket for the jaatre. Then give yourself the whole of 14 January — the fair by daylight, the aradhane at five, and the drums and arati before Nandi as the light goes.