BR Hills - Chamarajanagara | Biligariranga Hills | Karnataka| BR Hills best travel guide

Situated in South Eastern Karnataka, BR Hills or Biligiriranganatha Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is home to ecosystems that are unique to both the mountain ranges. Since it is located at the north-west of the Western Ghats and westernmost edge of the Eastern Ghats, it supports a diverse flora and fauna in view of the various habitats present.
It is a pilgrimage site and derives its name from the Rangaswamy Temple located on top of a white cliff. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha and the festivities in this temple during April attracts a lot of tourists. The region boasts a variety of vegetation ranging from the dry and deciduous to evergreens. The Wildlife Sanctuary borders with the Sathya Mangalam Wildlife Sanctuary and is home to gaurs, bears, sambhar, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, and four horned antelopes. It is also home to more than 200 bird species including crested eagle, white winged tit and racket tailed drongo. For those who love adventures, BR Hills is a must as it provides ample scope for trekking and rafting. Kapila and Cauvery River flow through these hills and offer opportunities for angling, fishing and boat riding. Whether you are going to seek the blessings of God or looking for an exciting adventure, BR Hill can be a perfect destination. The best time to visit the place is from June - October as the rains bring out the wildlife.
Why visit BR Hills::::::
BR Hills translates as Biligiri Rangana Betta. Biligiri means white hill in Kannada.Rangana refers to the Lord Ranganathaswamy temple that is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus from all over India and the local Soliga population.
The BR Hills are a unique ecosystem. It’s where the Western ghat mountain range meets with the Eastern ghat mountain range. Being right in the middle, the area forms a natural bridge allowing animals to move in between.
The result is a rich flora and fauna with species from both areas coming together, creating an ecological hotspot of incredible biodiversity. The animals are shy and hard to see in the dense vegetation, but you can hear and feel they are never far away.
The BR Hills wildlife sanctuary is part of a network of protected areas that form the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve and that includes more famous national parks like Kabini and Bandipur. It became a wildlife sanctuary in 1974 and since 2011 it is also an official tiger reserve.
BR Hills and the Soliga
BR Hills becoming a protected area was not without controversy, because these decisions affected the Soliga. The Soliga people have lived in the BR Hills for centuries. As hunter gatherers they have an intimate knowledge of the plants and animals in the forest.
When Biligiri rangana Betta became a wildlife sanctuary the Soliga were to be evicted and relocated. For years the Soliga fought a legal battle for the rights over their ancestral lands and won.
Although the Soliga now have community forest rights there is still a long way to go for them to be more involved in conservation efforts and decision making in BR Hills.
BR Hills is thus not only about nature, but also about culture. Besides the famous Ranganathaswamy temple, there are hundreds of places within the forest that have a special meaning for the Soliga.
Things to do in BR Hills
Biligiri Rangana betta temple
The 400 year old Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple is one of the main attractions in BR Hills. Lord Ranganatha is a Hindu deity in South India and a form of Vishnu. There are other Ranganatha temples in the area such as the one in Srirangapatna.
The temple in BR Hills for sure has the most beautiful location. On top of a hill it offers sweeping views over the forests and hills of Biligiri rangana betta. According to a Soliga folk take, Lord Ranganatha fell in love with a Soliga girl and married her. As a result, they consider Ranganatha to be their sister’s husband.
The Soliga also believe that Ranganatha still wanders through the forests during the night. Every 2 years they present a new pair of large leather slippers to the temple.
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[@deepakm8811]

Nice content and guidance for travellers

[@Chandudoddameti_009]

Thank you 🙏