Biligiri Rangaswamy Hills and B R Hills Wild Life Sanctuary

The Biligiriranga Hills, (Kannada: ಬಿಳಿಗಿರಿರಂಗನ ಬೆಟ್ಟ) commonly called B R Hills, is a hill range situated in south-eastern Karnataka, at its border with Tamil Nadu (Erode District) in South India. The area is called Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a protected reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Being at the confluence of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, the sanctuary is home to eco-systems that are unique to both the mountain ranges. The site was declared a Tiger Reserve in December 2010.

he hills are in the Yelandur and Kollegal Taluks of Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. The hills are contiguous with the Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary to the south, in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu. The hills that give the range its name are situated 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Mysore and 254 kilometres (158 mi) from Bangalore. The hills may be reached either from Yelandur or via Chamarajanagar.

The hills are located at the easternmost edge of the Western Ghats and support diverse flora and fauna in view of the various habitat types supported. A wildlife sanctuary of 322.4 square kilometres (124.5 sq mi) was created around the temple on 27 June 1974, and enlarged to 539.52 square kilometres (208.31 sq mi) on 14 January 1987. The sanctuary derives its name Biligiri from the white rock face that constitutes the major hill crowned with the temple of Lord Rangaswamy or from the white mist and the silver clouds that cover these hills for a greater part of the year.

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 from far and wide., the ratha festival is celebrated at Biligiriranga Hills. The local tribes present a large pair of slippers measuring 1-foot (0.30 m) and 9 inches, made up of skin, to the Ranganathaswamy once in two years.

The temple consists of the idol of Sri Biligiri Ranganatha and Ranganayaki the Lord’s spouse.This temple is of greater significance for many Srivaishnavites. Special pooja to the deities are performed on Fridays.

Accommodation is available for tourists within the site.