B. R. Hills

Located 90 k m from Mysore and 230 kms from Bangalore, the Biligiri hill are exquisitely situated between the Kapila and the Cauvery rivers. Placed at a height of 5091 feet above sea level, the B.R Hill Sanctuary lengthen to about 16 kms from North to South. Completely engulfed by the deciduous trees, the wild species are found roaming freely amidst the long grasses. The chirping of the birds and the humming of the bees wakes the deers from their slumber.
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The Sanctuary is a wonderful intermix of resort and wildlife sanctuary. The hill sanctuary spread on an area of 540 kms with green valley to its credit is a must stop for the travellers. THE sanctuary is a good link between the western and the eastern ghats. The River Cauvery takes its course through the middle of the hills reflecting the geographical significance of the hilly place. The hills had their name from the Ranganatha Swami temple that rests on the edge of a granite block more that 1000 ft above.

Wildlife Attractions

Flora: The vegetation at the B.RHills sanctuary ranges from the high altitude grass lands to the evergreen forests and the scrub jungles. The great chapaka trees found inside are worshiped by the Soliga tribes of that area.
The entire hills are covered with the dry broad leaf forests forming a part of the South Deccan Plateau. It is the only forest in the central southern peninsula to harbour the pachyderms in large numbers.

Fauna: The BRHills is generally famous for the large asian bovid,the gaurs. There are about 26 varieties of mammal found in the sanctuary. The prominent ones are sambhar, chital, barking deer, four footed antelope. The Carnivorous inhabitants of the hills are the tigers,leopards,wild dogs,lesser cats and sloth bear, Three species of squirrels including the flying squirrel is seen inside the sanctuary. According to the recent surveys, there are possibly 17 tigers roaming inside the forest preying upon the weaker animals.

Avian Species: The B.R Hill Sanctuary preserves more than 254 varieties of birds and a lot of migratory ones are welcomed during the winter seasons. A very uncommon species discovered there is the microhyla sholigari. The racket tailed drongo and the crested eagle are among the favourites. Other important varieties are Malabar whistling thrush, paradise flycatcher and the yellow throated bulbul. Besides a larger variety of pleasant butterflies are also found in the hilly ranges.
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Nearby Attractions

The city of palaces, Mysore as a tourist destination can never be forgotten while visiting the southern region The prominent palaces are the Amba vilas or the main Mysore Palace. Jaganmohana palace, Lokaranjan Mahal and the Crawford hill.

Accommodation

Comfortable stay is provided to the tourists in the living quaters available there. There are well furnished Tents and huts with attached bath and toilets which are lit by the hurricane lamps. There is also a large Maharaja Bunglow that can accommodate about 15 tourists at a time. The bunglow was once the property of the Maharaja of Mysore.

How to Reach

By Air : The nearest airport is situated in Bangalore at a distance of 254 km from the hills.
By Rail : Bangalore is the nearest rail way station from the BR Hills.
By Road : The sanctuary is easily accessible by road being 100 km from Bangalore, 85 km from Mysore via Malavalli and 245 km from Ooty. There are couple of buses running from Mysore everyday.