No. 1: Nrityagram: The Dance Village and Taj Kuteeram: A “cottage / boutique” Hotel

Our family loves this place. It is a cultural experience and boutique hotel situated in the beautiful countryside of Karnataka.

chillibreeze writer — Joanna Budelman

Nrityagram is directly across the street from the Taj Kuteeram Hotel located at the dead end of a country road. Most of the property surrounding this location is government agricultural land. It is clean, sprawling, and inviting for long hikes through farms, open grass land, and country roads. On each of our visits we have taken different hikes.

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One of our favorite hikes was around the Hessarghatta Reservoir. A ten minute drive from Nrityagram. (Ask any local how to reach the levy.) We hiked along the huge levy, watched the village women wash their clothes and their sheep. After about 2 kilometers we reached the end of the levy where we discovered the old run down Bangalore Yacht Club. We peered into the windows and could read the records on the Yacht Club Racing Boards. Recorded were races from the early 1900’s to about 1970’s. Before we knew it a Watchman appeared and opened up the old rotting doors to the Yacht club. My husband and I both commented that it was a “frozen in time” experience. The room was dusty, the chairs were scattered around the table, we could recognize what once was the wooden bar, where men had drinks and looked out the small pained glass windows that faced the Hessarghatta Lake.

Our last trip to Hessarghatta Lake was in February 2004, before the monsoon. We were shocked when we saw that the Hessarghatta Lake was completely dry! Let me know if it has filled up.


The day we happened upon the old Bangalore Yacht Club.	Taking a rest on a granite bench. We hiked the entire length of the Hessaraghatta Levy to reach the Yacht Club.

Why is Nrityagram & Taj Kuteeram a good day trip or weekend getaway?

One and a half hour drive from downtown Bangalore. There are also some beautiful country roads if you like to poke around.
A delicious lunch or dinner buffet awaits you at the Taj Kuteeram open air restaurant. If you are a large family or a group, you should call in advance and let them know you are coming.


The ethnic architecture is a treat to the eye.	The outdoor dining is fantastic. there is a beautiful pond right beside the table.

The Nrityagram Dance Village is a treat to the eye! It has a village ambience with mud buildings all built in a unique design using local materials and Indian village architecture. The grounds are green with shady trees and vegetable gardens to stroll through.
The Dance Village is a cultural treat. For a small fee you can tour the grounds and observe all the different styles of classical Indian dance. The dancers are professionals and extremely interesting to see how they study their art form and live in community.


A professional dancer relaxes on her day off.	A garden path leads to the entrance to the Dance Village. Even the office is interesting to look at.

Since most of us would visit on Sundays, the Dance Village holds special Sunday classes for the local village boys and girls. We have enjoyed observing beginners and advanced students all being taught by the Nrityagram professional dancers.


The children enjoy feeding the bunnies and ducks at Kuteeram.	Swinging with Daddy under the big banyan tree.

As you read above, the hiking is fantastic. After being in a city, the fresh air and 99% trash free surroundings is something we enjoy.
Taj Kuteeram staff will give you a tour of their nine boutique cottages which make up the hotel. Each one is unique in structure and interior design. Visit Taj Kuteeram’s website to read about their holiday special that includes one night stay with breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you want to stay overnight it is a great place to bring your bikes and go for a family ride. (You can also use the hotel’s bikes, not sure how many they have.)

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Info File:

Nrityagram is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

The Address:

Nrityagram Dance Village
Hessaraghatta
Bangalore Rural District - 560088
Tel: 080-8466313-14

Taj Kuteeram
Hessarghatta
Bangalore
Rural District
Karnataka 560 088
Tel: (94 - 80) 28466326/329/332
Email: westend.bangalore@tajhotels.com

Website: http://www.tajhotels.com

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