Biligirirangana Hills

The Biligirirangana Hills at Karnataka, also termed the BR Hills, are situated at a distance of 120 and 247 kilometers from Mysore and Bangalore respectively. This popular hill station is located at a pleasant position in between the Cauvery and the Tungabhadra rivers. September to May is the best time to visit this place.

Towering 5,091 feet above the sea level, the Biligirirangana Hills extend from north to south for about 16 kilometers. Encircled by deciduous vegetation, the forests are filled with a vast range of wildlife.

Some places of considerable tourist interest near the Biligirirangana Hills of Karnataka are :

Biligirirangaswamy Temple: Atop the highest peak, this old temple bestows on Biligirirangana Betta its name. The temple is consecrated to Venkatesha, locally worshiped as Ranganatha.

Biligirirangaswamy Sanctuary: Extending over 540 square kilometer, this sanctuary is the habitat of Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Elephants, Tigers, Panthers and Bears.

Kanchikote: These constitute the ruins of an old fort believed to have been constructed by the Ganga raja of Shivanasamudra.

Himvad Gopalaswamy Hills: The Himvad Gopalaswamy Hills in Mysore District is located in the green Western Ghats. The hills are popular with trekkers and serve as a well known holiday resort also. Located atop the Biligirirangana Hills is the Gopalaswamy Temple.

Besides these places, the Ratha Festival at Biligirirangana Betta takes place at 'Vaishakha' in April. Once every two years, the local tribes provide a unique and intriguing offering of a large pair of slippers measuring one foot and nine inches, prepared out of skin, to the deity.

The closest airport is at Bangalore, as also the nearest railway station. Regular buses may be availed of from Bangalore, Chamarajanagar and Yelandur to Biligirirangana Betta.

The Biligirirangana Hills are a popular hill station in Karnataka.