Linking the Western and Eastern Ghats are the densely forested rolling BR hills. The area is commonly known as Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary. This protected reserve is home to eco-systems that are unique to both the mountain ranges. The site was declared a Tiger Reserve in December 2010. Drained by the Cauvery and Kapila rivers, BR Hills is a tourist’s paradise.
BR hills (Biligirirangan hills)
Things of Interest:
Wildlife Sanctuary
These forests have nearly 800 species of plants from various families and a diverse number of animals. BR hills is home to about 26 species of mammals including the Asian elephant, which cross the ‘corridor’ during seasonal movements between the Eastern & Western Ghats.
Asian Elephants in BR Hills (Photo: Kalyan Varma)
Nature beckons in BR Hills (Photo: K. Murali Kumar)
It is also famous for providing a home to the Gaur, Asia’s largest bovid. Sambhar, chital, the shy barking deer and the rare four-horned antelope are also found here. Carnivores include the critically endangered tiger, elusive leopards as well as wild dogs, lesser cats and sloth bears. The forests are also home to two species of primates and three species of squirrels.
It is amazing proof of how biodiversity conservation can go hand-in-hand with people and their livelihoods. The tribal Soliga people a semi-nomadic tribe living in the interiors of the region have lived in harmony with these forests for hundreds of years and provide BR Hills with a peerless model for conservation of our heritage. Tourists can buy the many local crafts that they sell.
Biligiriranga Swamy Temple
Biligiriranga Swamy Temple (Photo: Photobucket)
Biligiriranga Swamy Temple (Photo: Photobucket)
The hills are famous for the temple of Lord Ranganatha or Lord Venkatesha which is situated on the highest peak of the hill range, on the ‘white cliff’ which gives the hill its name. The local form of the deity is called Biligiriranga and is depicted in a unique standing position. The Annual Car festival of the deity held during “Vaishakha “in the month of April, is famous in the region and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists.
There is a coffee estate in the region which was started by a foreigner. Tourists can definitely pay a visit to this site and buy some local produce.
Adventurous Activities
Biligiri Rangan Hills means “White Hills” as it is perpetually soaked in a hanging mist.
Tourists can take jeep safaris or can have elephant rides to explore the wildlife. Some other adventurous activities such as Professional angling, Bird safari, Amateur fishing, Coracle boat rides, River rafting, Trekking and Camping can also be undertaken.
How to Reach
By Road (From Bangalore): Take the Bangalore – Mysore highway, and drive till Maddur. Turn left after leaving Maddur and drive till you reach Malavalli. Continue driving past Malavalli and get to Kollegala town. BR Hills is another 30 minutes drive from Kollegala. Those who come from Coimbatore can take either KSRTC or TNSTC to reach Chamarajanagar, buses fly every 20 minutes.
Train : Nearest train station is in Chamarajanagar, 40 km from BR Hills. Daily 6 trains connect Chamarajanagar with Mysore and 1 among 6 goes to Tirupati Via-Bangalore .
Flight : Bangalore International Airport, 220 km from BR Hills, is the nearest International airport, connected by all major destinations in the country. Coimbatore Airport,185 km from BR Hills, is nearer but not commendable International Airport. But Coimbatore has connectivity to all metro cities of India. In 2020 Mysore Aiprort is expected to become an International Airport .Then Mysore Airport will be the nearest to BR Hills.
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