Biligirirangana Hills, which is commonly called B R Hills, is a hill range situated in south-eastern Karnataka. It is located at its border with Tamil Nadu (Erode District) in Southern part of India.
Location of Biligirirangana Hills
Biligirirangana Hills are located 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. Biligirirangana Hills that give the range its name are situated 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Mysore and 160 kilometres (99 mi) from Bengaluru. The hills may be reached either from Yelandur or via Chamarajanagar District.
Biligirirangana Hills and the Western Ghats Wild Life
Biligirirangana Hills are placed at the easternmost edge of the Western Ghats Mountain Range in India 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.
Temple in Biligirirangana Hills
There locxated a temple in Biligirirangana Hills. 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 divine offerings to the deities are performed on Fridays.
Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary in Biligirirangana Hills
In Biligirirangana Hills, there lies a wildlife sanctuary called Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.
Wildlife Protection in Biligirirangana Hills
Biligirirangana Hills is a protected reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It is located at the confluence of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is home to eco-systems that are unique to both the mountain ranges. The site was declared a Tiger Reserve in December 2010.
Visiting Information
BR Hills has another 30 minutes drive from Kollegala. Those who come from Coimbatore can take either KSRTC or TNSTC to reach Chamarajanagar, buses ply every 20 minutes. The nearest train station is in Chamarajanagar, 40 km from Biligirirangana Hills. Mysore Airport is the nearest domestic airport to reach Biligirirangana Hills.
