BR Hills or Biligiri Rangana Hills is a hill range on the eastern border of the Western Ghats. It lies at a spot where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet and create a diverse eco-system.
Biligiri Rangana Hills derives its name from the Rangaswamy Temple located on top of a white cliff. The hills are located in the Chamarajanagar district and lie at the south eastern border of Karnataka, touching Tamilnadu.
The Temple Atop The Hill
BR Hills is a pilgrimage site, thanks to the beautiful Biligiri Rangaswamy temple. The temple is located on the top of a white cliff which gives the hill its name Bili Giri and the deity is called Biligiri Ranga. It is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha; here he is depicted in a unique standing pose and he is accompanied by his consort Ranganayaki. The festivities in this temple during April attract tons of tourists.
Tourists and local tribes come together to the Lord's abode during this time, and the cultural clash provides an ideal setting that outsiders can witness and marvel at.
The Wildlife In The Ecosystem
The Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, referred to shortly as BRT Wildlife Sanctuary (or BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary), covers an area of 539 sq km. Located at a height of 5091 ft, this natural reserve is situated on a hill range that links the Western and Eastern Ghats.
The region sports a variety of vegetation ranging from the dry and deciduous to evergreens. This rich variety of plant life in turn supports a huge number of animals. The Wildlife Sanctuary borders with the Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary that's located in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu.
The forests here are home to gaurs, bears, chital, sambhar, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, elephants and four-horned antelopes. The sanctuary is home to more than 200 bird species including the crested eagle, the white winged tit and the racket tailed drongo.
And for the Adventurous BR Hills provides ample scope for adventure sports like trekking and rafting and the Cauvery and Kapila Rivers that flow through these hills offer opportunities for angling, fishing and coracle boat riding.
Best Time To Visit BR Hills
Whether you are going on a pilgrimage or are on the lookout for an exciting vacation, BR Hills can be the ideal destination. If you are planning to visit the temple, April is the month for you as this is the time of the temple car festival.
If you are planning to visit the wildlife sanctuary, the rains bring out the wildlife, so June to October would be the best time. For those looking for a relaxed and pleasant holiday, this is the ideal spot!
How To Reach BR Hills
It is accessible through air, road and train.