BR Hills
State : Karnataka
Distance : 235 km S of Bangalore. Journey time by road 5 hrs. Rail – 3 + Road 2 hrs
Location : Br hills lies 3375 ft above sea level between the cuvery and Kapila rivers in Chamarajanagar District
Route : NH 209. to Chamarajanagar via Kanakapura, Malavalli and Shivanasamudram, state road to BR Hills
What can you say about a place where the local deity is a wandering spirit who wears outsized sandals ? and a region so wild that the milestones are painted yellow and green for fear of marauding elephants. For some obscure reason, wild elephants in these parts get so peeved by white milestones that they pull them out and fling them around. The forest department recently pulled one of these specimens out of a tree. Welcome to BR Hills. BR hills short and sweet for Biligiri Rangana Betta. Used to be a mere temple on a hillock with a rarely visited wildlife sanctuary nearby. That until jungle lodges transformed it into the wildest vacationing spot in Karnataka. The range stretches from north to south for about 16km and takes its name from the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple
Which stands atop its highest point. Though Biligiri in Kannada means white mountain the name is clearly a misnomer. The entire area is a thick forest of green dotted by deciduous tree and patches of shoal rainforest.
Things To See And Do
BR Hills is an excellent area for wildlife trekking and adventure activities. The terrain is dotted by peaks and hilltop temples, which offer spectacular views. The forest cover is thick, with a wide range of flora and fauna an view. A walk through the woods is an enriching experience though the best way to explore and know about the area is by interacting with the local soliga hill tribes.
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple
This centuries – old temple is dedicated to lord Rangaswamy and is perched atop a hill reached byn150 odd steps. Nearby is a 1000 ft drop to the forest below. Recently a steep road was also constructed that offers spectacular views all around. The Temple Trust
offers basic accommodation to those who might be interested in spending a night the only time the trickle of local to this secluded temple becomes a deluge is during the Ratha ( chariot ) festival that takes place every April. Once in two years the local tribes also offer the deity a large pair of slippers made out leather.
Dodda Sampige Mara
Literally the Big Champak Tree: Dodda Sampige Mara is a 2000 years old giant tree that still flowers in season. The tree is deeply revered by the local soliga tribals who believe it is the abode of lord Rangaswamy. Its believed that other deities also reside here and here represented by over 101 stone lingas
BRT Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over an area of 525 sq km of undulating hills. BR hills is a treasure house of varied animal life. The sanctuary a wonderful blend of the Biligiri Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar ranges, forms an important link between the eastern ands the western Ghats if India. Apart from dhole, sloth bear and wild boar, the park is on excellent one to observe bison and elephant with a greater chance of sighing a leopard here than in other parks BR Hills is also home to 270 birds of which 210 are migrant species including the exotic paradise Flycatcher, Rocket- -tailed Drongo and the Crested Hawk Eagle. For trip with in the park one can either trek up on foot or opt for jeep safaris or elephant rides. If you’re staying at the jungle lodges resort everything is taken care of. If you are not make sure you take prior permission from the forest department at Chamarajanagar.
Where To Stay And Eat
K Gudi Camp
Phone No : 08226 – 706086. Tariff Rs 1350 – 1500
Distance : 235 km S of Bangalore. Journey time by road 5 hrs. Rail – 3 + Road 2 hrs
Location : Br hills lies 3375 ft above sea level between the cuvery and Kapila rivers in Chamarajanagar District
Route : NH 209. to Chamarajanagar via Kanakapura, Malavalli and Shivanasamudram, state road to BR Hills
What can you say about a place where the local deity is a wandering spirit who wears outsized sandals ? and a region so wild that the milestones are painted yellow and green for fear of marauding elephants. For some obscure reason, wild elephants in these parts get so peeved by white milestones that they pull them out and fling them around. The forest department recently pulled one of these specimens out of a tree. Welcome to BR Hills. BR hills short and sweet for Biligiri Rangana Betta. Used to be a mere temple on a hillock with a rarely visited wildlife sanctuary nearby. That until jungle lodges transformed it into the wildest vacationing spot in Karnataka. The range stretches from north to south for about 16km and takes its name from the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple
Which stands atop its highest point. Though Biligiri in Kannada means white mountain the name is clearly a misnomer. The entire area is a thick forest of green dotted by deciduous tree and patches of shoal rainforest.
Things To See And Do
BR Hills is an excellent area for wildlife trekking and adventure activities. The terrain is dotted by peaks and hilltop temples, which offer spectacular views. The forest cover is thick, with a wide range of flora and fauna an view. A walk through the woods is an enriching experience though the best way to explore and know about the area is by interacting with the local soliga hill tribes.
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple
This centuries – old temple is dedicated to lord Rangaswamy and is perched atop a hill reached byn150 odd steps. Nearby is a 1000 ft drop to the forest below. Recently a steep road was also constructed that offers spectacular views all around. The Temple Trust
offers basic accommodation to those who might be interested in spending a night the only time the trickle of local to this secluded temple becomes a deluge is during the Ratha ( chariot ) festival that takes place every April. Once in two years the local tribes also offer the deity a large pair of slippers made out leather.
Dodda Sampige Mara
Literally the Big Champak Tree: Dodda Sampige Mara is a 2000 years old giant tree that still flowers in season. The tree is deeply revered by the local soliga tribals who believe it is the abode of lord Rangaswamy. Its believed that other deities also reside here and here represented by over 101 stone lingas
BRT Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over an area of 525 sq km of undulating hills. BR hills is a treasure house of varied animal life. The sanctuary a wonderful blend of the Biligiri Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar ranges, forms an important link between the eastern ands the western Ghats if India. Apart from dhole, sloth bear and wild boar, the park is on excellent one to observe bison and elephant with a greater chance of sighing a leopard here than in other parks BR Hills is also home to 270 birds of which 210 are migrant species including the exotic paradise Flycatcher, Rocket- -tailed Drongo and the Crested Hawk Eagle. For trip with in the park one can either trek up on foot or opt for jeep safaris or elephant rides. If you’re staying at the jungle lodges resort everything is taken care of. If you are not make sure you take prior permission from the forest department at Chamarajanagar.
Where To Stay And Eat
K Gudi Camp
Phone No : 08226 – 706086. Tariff Rs 1350 – 1500
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