Badami Rock Festival 2026: Karnataka's Climbing Festival Returns to the Red Sandstone Cliffs, 26 to 27 December
Badami is usually written about for what was carved into its rock: the sixth-century cave temples of the early Chalukyas, cut into the cliffs above Agastya lake. Climbers know it for the rock itself. Those red sandstone walls are among the most celebrated climbing terrain in India.
This December, the climbers get a festival.
What has been announced
The second edition of the Badami Rock Festival will be hosted by the General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure (GETHNAA) under the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka.
Dates: 26 to 27 December 2026
Location: Badami, Bagalkote district, Karnataka
Who it is for: seasoned climbers and anyone passionate about adventure sports
Registration and schedule: to be announced on GETHNAA's Instagram
The organisers describe a winter "all about pushing limits, scaling new heights, and bringing together outdoor enthusiasts from across the nation."
Why Badami
Good climbing needs good rock, and Badami's sandstone offers texture, cracks and features that suit climbers at many levels. Its winter climate, dry and cool after the monsoon, makes late December a sensible window.
There is also something fitting in the location. Few places allow you to spend the morning on a route and the afternoon in a cave temple that has stood for fourteen centuries. A festival here is as much about heritage as it is about sport.
The academy behind it
GETHNAA, named after General K. S. Thimayya, is Karnataka's state adventure academy and runs training in disciplines including rock climbing. A festival hosted by the institution that trains climbers suggests a focus on safe, structured participation rather than spectacle alone.
Before you go
Watch GETHNAA's channels for registration and schedules
Book accommodation early, since late December is peak season for Badami's heritage tourism
If you are new to climbing, look for any beginner or introductory sessions once the programme is published
For other winter festivals worth travelling for, see our guides to the Jaigarh Heritage Festival and the Bhadra Festival in Ahmedabad.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Badami Rock Festival 2026?
On 26 and 27 December 2026.
Where is the Badami Rock Festival held?
In Badami, Bagalkote district, Karnataka.
Who organises the Badami Rock Festival?
It is hosted by the General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure (GETHNAA) under the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka.
How do I register?
Registration details and schedules have not been released yet. GETHNAA says they will be announced on its Instagram account.
Is it only for experienced climbers?
The organisers invite both seasoned climbers and those passionate about adventure sports.
Kenneth Hopkins is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of AltBollywood. Indofuturist, posthumanist and unapologetically Indocentric, he describes himself as an epimemeticist, a swaraji, a freakonomist, a lexicographer and a cartochronicler, mapping the ideas, words and quiet shifts that shape Indian entertainment. Follow him on Instagram at @kennethhopkins.
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