Karnataka & Bengaluru - South India and Kerala - page 377

are taught for free on Sundays. Self-guided tours cost ?50 or you can book a tour, lecture
and demonstration and vegetarian meal (?1500 to ?2000, minimum 10 people).
Opposite the dance village, Taj Kuteeram (

) is 080-28466326; www.tajhotels.com ; d ?4000;

a hotel that combines comfort with rustic charm. It also offers ayurveda and yoga ses-
sions.

Our Native Village ( 9591700577, 080-41140909; www.ournativevillage.com ; s/d incl full board & activities
?5100/7500; ) , an eco-health retreat situated in the vicinity, is a great place to unwind in
style while engaging in yoga, meditation and sound therapies as well as fun activities such
as flying kites or riding bullock carts.
From Bengaluru's City Market, buses 266, 253, 253D and 253E run to Hessaraghatta
(?25, one hour), with bus 266 continuing on to Nrityagram. From Hessaraghatta an
autorickshaw will cost ?70.

Nandi Hills

Rising to 1455m, the Nandi Hills ( www.nandihills.co.in ; admission ?5; 6am-6pm) , 60km north of
Bengaluru, were once the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan (his palace is still here). Today,
it's the Bengaluru techie's favourite weekend getaway, and is predictably congested on
Saturdays and Sundays. Nonetheless, it's a good place for hiking, with good views and
two notable Chola temples . Buses head to Nandi Hills (?50, two hours) from Bengaluru's
Central bus stand.

Janapada Loka Folk Arts Museum

Situated 53km south of Bengaluru, this museum (adult/child ?10/5; 9am-5.30pm) dedicated to
the preservation of rural cultures has a wonderful collection of folk-art objects, including
500-year-old shadow puppets, festival costumes and musical instruments. Departing from
Bengaluru, Mysore-bound buses (one hour) can drop you here; get off 3km after Ram-
nagar.