Another interesting getaway from Mysore for nature
enthusiasts is the Biligiri Rangana Hills popularly known as the
B.R.Hills. Though these hills are famous for the ancient temple on top
of the hills, it is also home to a lesser-known wildlife sanctuary. The
Biligiri Rangana Hills are 120kms from Mysore. The Billigiri Rangana
hills are ideally located between the Cauvery and Kapila rivers. It is
at a height of about 5, 091 feet above sea level and runs north to south
for about 16kms. The lower hills are covered with rich deciduous forests
that are home to a large number of elephants.
The wildlife sanctuary covers an area of about 550sq.km. and is
inhabited by a number of animals including elephants, sloth bears,
bison, deer, porcupines and a number of other wild animals. It is said
that the sanctuary has more than 250 species of birds like the Paradise
Flycatcher, Racquet Trailed Drongo and the Crested Hawk Eagle, to name a
few. The sanctuary is inhabited with such a large population of wildlife
that one does not have to go looking for them. There is accommodation in
the sanctuary in the form of Jungle lodges and resorts. The best time to
get a good look at the wildlife is at dawn.
To visit the temple on top of the hill you can either climb the 150
steps leading to the temple or drive through the lush green forests. The
temple is dedicated to Biligiri Rangaswamy and the temple is built in
the Dravidian style. There is a guesthouse maintained by the temple
authorities that provides accommodation as well. These hills are a
wonderful combination of a hill resort and a wildlife sanctuary. There
are buses that ply from Mysore at regular intervals to B.R.Hills.
