B.R.Hills (Biligiri Rangana Hills)
About Sri. Biligiri Rangana Hills (B.R.Hills)
Biligiri Rangana Hills popularly known as BR Hills located in Yelandur, Kollegal taluk, Chamrajnagar District. The hill is located at an elevation of 5091 feet above mean sea level. The hills start from southeastern Karnataka extend up to the Sathyamangalam forest in Tamilnadu. The forest has a land cover of 539.52Sq.Km. The Biligirirangan hills is protected under the wildlife protection act 1972, it is also known as the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy wildlife sanctuary/BRT wildlife sanctuary. This sanctuary is declared as a ‘Tiger reserve’ from January 2011 by the Government of Karnataka. This forest also encloses a verity of Medicinal plants.
The BRT wildlife sanctuary encloses a wide range of animals like Elephants, Tigers, Sambhar, Chital, Barking Deer, Four horned antelope, Leopard, Wild dogs, Cats, Sloth bears, Bore, Flying Squirrels, Microhylid frog (microhylasholigari).It also encloses 200 varieties of birds among them White-winged tit ( Parus leucomelas ) is very rare species.
A scientist named R. Sukumar studied and identified 17 varieties of tigers in this sanctuary in early Eighties. The specimen of White winged tit (Parus leucomelas) was collected by R C Morris at this sanctuary. The specimen is now housed in natural history museum at Tring.
History of Sri Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (B.R.Hills)
The Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple was built 400 years ago by Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. The Biligirirangan hills is also called as ‘Swethadri’ in sanskrit.
Annual Car festival / ChikkaJatre:
The annual car festival for Biligiri Ranganathaswamy is held during Vaishka masa (April). A lot of devotees participate in the car festival and get the blessings of Lord Ranganatha. Once in 2 years, the Soliga tribes of BR hills, present leather slippers to Lord Ranganatha which are 1 foot 9 inches long.
Mythological Importance of Sri. Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (B.R.Hills)
Name Biligiri: The place is called ‘Biligiri’ either due to the presence of white rock face present at the top of the hills or may be due to the reason that the hill is covered with white mist and silver clouds for most period in the year.
Story of Ranganathaswamy: The main deity of the BR hills is Lord Ranganathaswamy (Lord Vishnu). Lord Ranganatha, pleased by the prayer of Kusumabale/Ranganayaki a Soliga lady and his devotee, appeared in front of her and fulfilled her wish by marrying her. From that day the Soliga community people call lord Ranganatha as Bava (Brother-in-law).
The architecture of Sri. Biligiri Ranganatha Temple
The temple is built in Dravidian architecture. The 400 years old temple has 4 feet height statue of Lord Ranganatha in standing position and statue of Goddess Ranganayaki. The temple can be reached by climbing around 100 steps and further set of steps in front of the temple leads to the Kalyani. People take a holy dip here before visiting the temple. There is also a provision of hot water to take a bath near the Kalyani.
Soliga community (Tribes) of B.R.Hills
Soliga Tribes
The tribals living in Biligiri Ranganathaswamy wildlife sanctuary are called Soliga. They have settled in this place from centuries. The Soliga tribes are also called as “Sholaga”. The total population of these tribes is about 20,000. Their mother tongue is Soliganudi which is a kind of Dravidian language (Kannada with Tamil influenced words)
Based on the language the Soliga community speaks, they are classified as follows,
- Male Soliga: The Soliga community found there home in Karnataka and speaks the Kannada language.
- Urali Soliga: The Soliga community found in the borders of Tamil Nadu and speak Kannada as well as the Tamil language.
- Pujari Soliga: The Soliga community found in Malemahadeshwara hills.
- Kadu Soliga: The Soliga community found in Bandipur forest.
- Burude Soliga: The Soliga community found in Hegadadevanakote and Kodagu taluk.
The legend about the Soliga community
The legend says that the Male Mahadeshwara Swamy had two sons named Kariya and Biliya. Kariya had more affection towards wild animals and as per the directions of his father, he resided in the forest. Kariya is believed to be the main person (Mulapurusha) of Soliga community while Biliya of the Lingayata community.
Occupation of Soliga community
The Soligas practiced shifting cultivation by growing ragi and finger millet (Eleusinecoracana. They sold non-timber forest products like honey, wild turmeric, bamboo, algae and indian blackberry. Some also practiced silk weaving.
Since the BR hills is declared as reserved forest, these Soliga community is provided with land near to the civilian population. The forest population is made to settle in a single place in the form of a cluster.
The main deity of this community are Male Mahadeshwara and Biligiri Ranganatha, they also worship Kariya, Kyate Devaru, Jadeswamy, Basaveshwara, Nanjundeshwara, and Sri Alamelu Ranganayaki.
Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Darshan
Normal Entry – ₹0
Special Darshan Ticket – ₹50
Sri. Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy wildlife sanctuary Timings :
Mon- Sun: 6am – 6pm.
Sri. Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Timings :
Mon- Sun: 7am – 2pm, 4pm – 6pm
Best time to Visit BR Hills :
October – February
Sri Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Entrance Fee:
No fee
Sri . Biligiri Ranganatha swamy wildlife sanctuary Entrance Fee:
No entry fee
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Website
No official Website
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Email
No official email address
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Phone Number
Landline + 91 08 8855 54789
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Address
B.R.Hills,
Yelandur,Kollegal taluk,
Chamrajnagar District
Karnataka 571117
Near By Places to Visit
Gopalaswamy Betta
Chamarajeshwara temple
Nanjanagudu temple
Tripurasundari temple
BR Hills Accommodation
There are a number of hotels, resorts, government guest houses are available to reside in BR Hills. Online bookings are available in all hotels and Government guest house some of them are listed below.
Hotel Mayura Biligiri
Gorukana Eco Wellness Retreat
Rajathadri Hill villas
Giridarshini
Shwethagiri
BR Hills Distance
Bangalore to BR Hills – 177 kilometres
Mysore to BR Hills – 87 kilometres
Chamarajanagar to BR Hills– 44 kilometres
How to reach Biligiri Ranganatha Temple
KSRTC (Bus)
KSRTC are available from Bangalore to BR Hills (fare: ₹110/-) from satellite bus stop direct buses to BR hills is available at 6.45 AM, 8.45AM, 12.30PM and 3.15PM. travel time is 5 hrs.
ISRTC(Train)
Train facilities are not available to BR hills. If one wishes to travel by train then nearby railways station is chamarajanagara railways station. Trains are available from Bangalore to chamarajanagara. From chamarajanagara buses are available for BR hills every 1 hr duration.
NOTE – please do contact Indian Railways (IRCTC) for better clarity on train timings & updated Pricing
Air
Nearest International Airport( kempegowda airport Bangalore) is 215 Kms from BR hills. Nearest Domestic Airport (Mandakalli Airport Mysore) is 84 Kms from BR hills
Bike / Car
Majestic (Kempe Gowda bus station) – Nayandahalli – Bidadi – Kengeri – Ramanagara – Channapattana – Madduru- KM Doddi – Malavalli – Saraguru – Kollegala – BR Hills-