Sightseeing in BR Hills

Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple, also known as BR Hills temple, sits at an altitude of about 1,100 meters on the Biligiri Rangana Hills, a prominent hill range in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Vishnu, and is unique for its syncretic worship by both mainstream Hindu pilgrims and the indigenous Soliga tribal community, who consider the hills sacred and the deity as their guardian. The temple's name 'Biligiri' means 'white hills,' referring to the silver-hued mist that often envelops the peaks. The temple is a significant pilgrimage site, especially during the annual car festival and on auspicious days like Vaikunta Ekadashi. The surrounding Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the BR Hills landscape, adds to the spiritual and natural allure, making it a place where faith and biodiversity coexist.

BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, is a biodiversity hotspot spanning 540 square kilometers in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. Its name derives from the white rocky cliffs (Biligiri) and the ancient temple of Lord Rangaswamy atop the hills. The sanctuary is a biological bridge where the Western Ghats' moist forests meet the Eastern Ghats' dry forests, creating a mosaic of habitats that sustain a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and over 200 bird species. This unique landscape is also home to the Soliga tribe, whose traditional knowledge and sustainable practices are integral to the sanctuary's conservation. Visitors can explore the scenic roads, trek to the temple, and immerse in the serene wilderness, but must remember that the sanctuary is a protected area with limited access.

Perched on the edge of the BR Hills plateau, Honnametti Viewpoint rewards visitors with a breathtaking panorama of layered forest ridges that cascade toward the plains of Tamil Nadu. The viewpoint is a tranquil spot, often less crowded than other viewpoints, where the air is crisp and the silence is broken only by birdsong and the rustle of leaves. From this vantage point, one can observe the undulating greenery of the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, a unique confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats. The view is especially magical at sunrise and sunset, when the sky is painted in hues of gold and orange, and the distant hills appear as silhouettes. Honnametti is not just a scenic stop; it is a place for quiet contemplation, connecting visitors with the raw, unspoiled beauty of the region.

Managed jointly by the Karnataka Forest Department and Jungle Lodges & Resorts, the K. Gudi Safari Zone serves as the gateway to the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary. This 540-square-kilometre reserve, named after the white rocky cliffs that resemble the face of Lord Vishnu, protects a critical corridor between the Western and Eastern Ghats. Open-jeep safaris depart at dawn and dusk, winding through dry deciduous forests and grassy clearings where herds of Asian elephants and Indian gaur (bison) are frequently sighted. The zone is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 250 species recorded, including the endemic Sri Lankan frogmouth and the endangered yellow-throated bulbul. Beyond wildlife, the safari offers panoramic views of the surrounding hill ranges and the Soliga tribal settlements that have coexisted with the forest for centuries.