NE SPORTS BUREAU
COIMBATORE, SEPT 18
The excitement is building as the 17th edition of Isha Gramotsavam, Bharat’s largest rural sports festival, approaches its grand finale. On September 21, 2025, the iconic Adiyogi at Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, will host the much-awaited event, graced by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, badminton star Saina Nehwal, chess Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu, and para-Olympian Bhavina Patel, alongside festival founder Sadhguru.
From Villages to the Grand Arena
This year’s Gramotsavam has been truly historic—held across 183 locations in six states and Puducherry, with 63,000 participants, including 12,000 women, forming 5,472 teams and representing more than 35,000 villages. The spirit of rural Bharat has come alive in volleyball courts, throwball grounds, and community arenas, uniting farmers, fishermen, sanitation workers, homemakers, and daily wage earners under the banner of sport.
- Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Saina Nehwal, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Bhavina to join celebration of Bharat’s largest rural sports festival at Adiyogi
- In the run-up to the finale, 24 men’s volleyball teams and 18 women’s throwball teams will battle in semi-finals on September 19 and 20
- With a ₹67 lakh prize pool on offer, the winners of the men’s and women’s categories will each take home ₹5 lakh
Unlike professional tournaments, Gramotsavam is about everyday heroes of rural India—villagers who balance their hard work with the passion for play.
Thrill of the Competition
In the run-up to the finale, 24 men’s volleyball teams and 18 women’s throwball teams will battle in semi-finals on September 19 and 20. A special highlight will be the para-volleyball competition for differently-abled participants, reinforcing the inclusive spirit of the festival.
With a ₹67 lakh prize pool on offer, the winners of the men’s and women’s categories will each take home ₹5 lakh, while runners-up will receive prizes of ₹3 lakh, ₹1 lakh, and ₹50,000 respectively.
Sports, Culture, and Celebration
Isha Gramotsavam is more than just sport—it’s a grand celebration of Bharat’s rural heritage. The finale will feature traditional performances such as Tamil Nadu’s Valli Kummi, Oyilattam, and Therukoothu, Kerala’s Panchari Melam and Chenda Melam, Telangana’s Kusadi dance, and Karnataka’s Puli Vesham.
Visitors will also experience the vibrancy of 30+ South Indian food stalls, 25 traditional village games including Pallanguzhi, slippery pole climbing, and pot-breaking, along with a colorful rangoli competition where the winner will receive ₹33,000 from Sadhguru. Every participant will be gifted a saree, adding a touch of tradition to the celebrations.
A Movement Rooted in Rural Spirit
Launched by Sadhguru in 2004, Isha Gramotsavam was designed to revive the rural spirit of India—helping communities overcome addictions, transcend caste and religious divisions, and empower women to participate actively in public life.
Recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as a National Sports Promotion Organization (NSPO), the festival received the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar in 2018 for its contribution to grassroots sports. Over the years, legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and Karnam Malleswari have lent their support, amplifying the pride and recognition of rural players.
The Spirit of Gramotsavam
At its heart, Isha Gramotsavam is not just about winning medals—it is about unity, resilience, and pride in rural Bharat. As thousands gather at Adiyogi for the grand finale, the cheers, the rhythms of traditional drums, the flavors of village food, and the energy of grassroots athletes will together script another chapter in the story of India’s rural sports revolution.
