Sadhguru and Former Cricketer Robin Uthappa Join Divisional Matches at Sadhguru Sannidhi, Bengaluru

Coimbatore: The divisional phase of Isha Gramotsavam, India’s largest rural sports festival, was celebrated with great enthusiasm across six states on 7 September 2025. At Sadhguru Sannidhi, Bengaluru, the event took place in the presence of Sadhguru, with cricketer Robin Uthappa and actress Srinidhi Shetty as special guests who presented trophies to the winning teams.

Launched by Sadhguru in 2004, Isha Gramotsavam has become a powerful tool for social transformation- helping villagers overcome addictions, breaking caste barriers, empowering women, and reviving the vibrant, playful rural spirit. Teams can only be formed with players from the same village panchayat, strengthening community bonds and celebrating local pride.

Now in its 17th year, Isha Gramotsavam 2025 was conducted in two phases-cluster and divisional-across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Over 60,000 rural participants from more than 35,000 villages took part.

Competitions featured volleyball for men and throwball for women. Winners and runners-up from the divisional matches will face off in the grand finale at the iconic 112-ft Adiyogi, Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore.

In Tamil Nadu, divisional competitions were held at six locations: Coimbatore, Salem, Vellore, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Tirunelveli. Alongside the sports events, cultural performances and fun rural games added to the celebrations.

Divisional winners received cash prizes of ₹12,000, while runners-up earned ₹8,000 in recognition of their performance. At the national level, winners will compete for a prize pool of ₹67 lakh, with ₹5 lakh each awarded to the men’s and women’s champions.

More than a sporting event, Isha Gramotsavam is a festival of rural spirit. Professional players are not allowed; instead, the field is open to everyday rural people- farmers, fishermen, daily-wage workers, and homemakers- who come together to experience the celebratory power of sports.

Isha Outreach, the organising body, has been recognised as a National Sports Promotion Organisation (NSPO) by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. In 2018, it was honoured with the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar for its contribution to grassroots sports.