Isha Foundation Bangalore & Nandi Hills | Complete One day trip guide!

Last Updated on 7 March 2026 by Poorna & Brinda

Isha Foundation Bangalore, with the Adi Yogi statue near Chikkaballapur, is now open to the public. Although it is still under construction, you can visit the place to see the exquisite Adi Yogi statue, the Yogishwara Linga shrine, and the Naga mantapa.

You can combine this place with perennial favourite Nandi Hills for a lovely one-day trip.

Here is a detailed one-day trip itinerary for visiting the Isha Foundation in Bangalore near Chikkaballapur and Nandi Hills from Bangalore.

If you want to go only to the Isha Foundation in Bangalore, it will be a half-day trip. You can check this link for complete details – https://traveltwosome.com/isha-foundation-chikkaballapur-a-complete-guide/

Alternatively, you may do Isha in the first half and Nandi in the second half of the day.

We strongly recommend not planning this trip on the weekend / Public holiday due to heavy crowds and traffic jams, especially on the road from the highway leading to Isha Foundation Bangalore.

Another option is to leave leisurely around 12 PM. Have lunch in Nandi Upachar or Koteshwaram and visit Nandi Hills first. After Nandi Hills and Temple, go to Isha around 5.30 PM, explore the place and stay back for the lovely laser show, which happens between 7 PM – 7.15 PM. Finish that, have dinner on the way and come back home.

You may also combine the Isha Foundation with other exciting places nearby instead of Nandi Hills. Look for details in the Travel Tips section.

🙏 Want a detailed guide focused only on Isha Foundation? From timings to travel tips, we’ve got it all. Read the complete Isha Foundation Chikkaballapur guide →

The summer months will be hot during the day. Please cover well and drink a lot of water.

Now let us go into details 😊

We went to the Isha Foundation in Bangalore a few months back, which has the Adiyogi statue and Naga Mantapa. The place is situated near Chikkaballapur on the Bangalore – Hyderabad highway. Chikkaballapur to Isha Foundation distance via National Highway, which is the best road, is 12 KMs.

The location of the centre is in a bowl surrounded by rolling hills. The place is under construction. However, the Adi Yogi statue is complete, and so is the Naga Mantapa. It will however, take another year or two for the whole project to be completed.

The Circuit – Bangalore – Nandi Hills – Bhoga Nandishwara Temple – Isha Yoga Centre Chikkaballapur – Bangalore

Google map of the circuit – Bangalore – Nandi Hills – Isha Chikkaballapur – Bangalore

Distance – 181 KMs

Road condition – Excellent. You will start seeing good signage for Isha two kms before the turn on the highway. Recently, one way system near the village has been made to ease traffic congestion.

What to Carry for this trip to the Isha Foundation and Nandi Hills

• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
• Water bottles (lightweight, BPA-free)
• Sunglasses
• Hats or caps
• Sunscreen
• Ethnic or modest clothing if visiting Isha

Itinerary

 7 AM – Depart from home. For those who are in North and East Bangalore, it is easy to hit Airport Road. For those of us staying in South Bangalore you have to either wade through the city or go via NICE road and exit at Tumkur road. Take the first available U-Turn and then turn left at Peenya junction and continue on Outer Ring Road till you reach Airport Road.

8 AM – Breakfast time. Chices – India Paratha Company or Nandi Upachar, Srinidhi Vaibhava or Koteshwaram ( newly opened and good) on the highway.

9 AM – Depart for Nandi Hills. Drive on the highway for a few kilometres and then turn left at the prominent signage. Drive on the good road and follow the signage. As you start climbing the hill, the road turns curvy with a few hairpin bends. Make sure you drive safely.

10 AM – Arrive at Nandi Hills. Spend two hours exploring the hills – Tippu Drop, Shiva temple, the birthplace of the Arkavathy river, Cubbon House – the British bungalow built for Lord Cubbon. Check out a few viewpoints – The KSTDC restaurant has some fabulous views.

12 Noon – Depart from the hill and come to Bhoga Nandishwara temple in Nandi village. A lovely temple built during the Vijayanagar period – 16th century -, it is a photographer’s paradise. The huge Temple tank and surroundings are peaceful. Appreciate the sculptural heritage of the temple.

1.30 PM – Depart temple. Drive straight to Isha and have lunch in the restaurant there. 30 minutes of drive through the village and hilly terrain, circumventing Harihara Hill will take you to the parking area of Isha Yoga Centre. As you enter the village, look out for lovely ponds in the stone quarries on the right side! The last 3 KMs of hilly terrain is now complete, and the road is good. After parking the car, head straight to Chandramukhi restaurant which is on the pathway to the right when you come out of parking area.

3 PM – After lunch explore Isha Yoga Centre. Leave your footwear in the stall near Adiyogi, visit Adiyogi and Yogeswara Linga. Come out, wear your footwear and walk on the same pathway and come to Naga Mantapa. Leave your footwear at the stand near Naga Mantapa, visit the shrine and get a panoramic view of Adiyogi.

A 10 feet Nagadeva statue is impressive. You can buy flowers at the ” Offerings stall” for Rs 20 and worship the god yourself. The view of Adiyogi statue from here is beautiful as the mantapa is on high ground.

4.30 PM – Depart for Bangalore. On the way you can have coffee/tea/Snacks at newly opened Koteshwaram cafe on the left before Nandi Hills junction.

Travel tips

1. This is an easy drive and one day trip. If you want to do only Isha Foundation Bangalore, then go straight on the highway and turn to the place from the highway after Chikkaballapur. This can be done as a half-day trip. Nandi Hills to Adiyogi statue is 40 KMs
2. Avoid weekends if possible as both places will be very crowded, and traffic jams after you turn from the highway are common on weekends.
3. The Isha Foundation Chikkaballapur is open from 6 AM to 8 PM every day.
4. Visitors to Isha can take part in the many offerings and processes available at the Yogeshwar Linga and Naga shrine, and experience the Adiyogi Divya Darshanam every evening.
5. There will be a fantastic laser show every day between 7.00 PM to 7.15 PM at Isha Centre. You may stay back if you wish to.
6. If you have a few hours’ break at Bangalore airport and do not know how to kill time, you may hire a taxi and pay a visit to Isha Ashram Bangalore.
7. At present, the Isha Foundation Bangalore is under construction. There is no cover. Wear Good Walking Shoes. Carry a good hat. It will be hot in the afternoons, especially in summer. The place is not elderly/physically challenged-friendly at present. Elders have to stay at Naga Mantapa.
8. The place has good restrooms.
9. There are two restaurants in Isha now – Chandramukhi and Mallige Maatu. Don’t forget to buy excellent Sesame Laddu – Till Laddu or Chigali, as called in Kannada – at the counter near Yogeshwara linga.
10. Isha Yoga Centre can be clubbed with other interesting places like Avalabetta, Gudibande Fort or Lepakshi for a one-day trip instead of Nandi Hills.
11. BMTC has started a one-day package tour covering temples around Nandi hills and Isha Chikkaballapur. Check out details on BMTC website
12. If you have time and energy, you can do a short climb to the Shiva temple atop Harihara Hill.
13. If you have time, you can also visit the lovely Devanahalli Fort and Tipu Sultan’s birthplace, which is on the highway
14. Want to Know More About Sadhguru or Inner Engineering?
15. If you’re curious about the philosophy or want to prepare mentally for the visit, here are some books that can help:
    • Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy
    • Mystic’s Musings
    • Death: An Inside Story

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the entry fee for Isha Foundation Bangalore? – There is no entry fee for Isha Foundation Bangalore
2. Where is Isha Foundation located in Karnataka? – Isha Foundation is located in the village of Avalagurki near Chikkaballapur at a distance of 50 KMs from Bangalore.
3. Does Isha provide free food? – No. However, there is a restaurant in the ashram.
4. Can we visit Isha without booking? – Yes. On a few special occasions like Maha Shivaratri, one has to register on their website. Registration is free. Please check their website for details
5. What is the dress code for Isha Centre? – There is no dress code as such. However being a spiritual place, visitors are expected to dress decently.
6. What are the timings of the Adiyogi laser show? – The timings are from 7 PM to 7.15 PM.
7. What is Nandi Hills famous for? – Nandi Hills is famous for its cool and salubrious climate, lovely views of the neighbouring landscape from the top of the hill and gardens. At the foothills, there is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva known as Bhoga Nandishwara temple
8. What is the best time to see Nandi Hills? – Early mornings on weekdays is the best time to visit Nandi Hills

Want to explore more around Bangalore? Please click on this link – 52 One day Trips with detailed itineraries you can do from Bangalore.

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