BR Hills

Located about 85 km to the southeast of Mysore, at a point where the Western and Eastern Ghats overlap, BR (Biligiri Ranganathaswamy) Hills is a range of forested hills with an abundance of wildlife and the perfect weekend getaway. It is also a protected area and a wildlife sanctuary. The hills get their name from the white rocks (bili giri = white hills) that form the range atop which sits the legendary Ranganatha Swamy Temple dedicated to Vishnu. Opt for a jungle safari or choose a trekking trail to get a real sense of the sanctuary and area. Wildlife that can be seen in the forests, apart from the occasional tiger, include elephants, spotted deer, leopards, sambhar, boar, sloth bears, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrels, macaques and four-horned antelope. In addition, there are also over 250 species of birds and many types of reptiles. Other attractions include the Dodda Sampige mara, a 2000-year old champaka tree and outlets that stock handmade products produced by the local Soliga tribals.