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The Biligiriranga Hills, generally known as the B R Hills are placed in the southern part of India. The hill range is exactly located in the south eastern part of the Indian state of Karntaka, sharing its border with another southern state of Tamil Nadu. The BR Hills are positioned in Yelandur and Kollegal Taluks of the district of Chamarajanagar in Karnataka. These hills are flanked by the Satyamangalam range.
The region where the BR Hills are located is popularly known as the Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary and offers lot of attractions in the area. The region is a sheltered reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The wildlife sanctuary is sprawled over 540 Km in the area. It also acts as the converging point of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats and is also a home to flora and fauna of both the mountain ranges. In December 2010, the site was declared a Tiger Reserve.
The most prominent mammals found here are the herds of wild elephants along with other animals like Gaur, sambhar, chital, the shy barking deer which renders a common view here and the rare four-horned antelope. Carnivores include tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and few cats and sloth bears along with the three species of squirrels including the giant flying squirrel are commonly found here. Several species of birds and reptiles can also be seen in the sanctuary.
It is believed that the sanctuary derived its name Biligiri from the white rock which comprises a hill crown along with the temple of Lord Rangaswamy. These hills are well-known especially for the temple of Lord Ranganatha also known as Lord Venkatesha and that is nestled on the highest peak of the hill range. The local deity here in the temple is known as Biligiriranga and can be seen in a unique standing posture.
There is another attraction in the hill city the Annual Car festival of the deity which is held during “Vaishakha “in the month of April. Then there is another festival called as the ratha festival is also celebrated with great enthusiasm at Biligiriranga Hills. The temple holds the idol of Sri Biligiri Ranganatha and Ranganayaki the Lords spouse. This temple is of great importance for many of the Srivaishnavites. On Fridays, there is a special prayer that is performed to the deities.
The city is easily accessible through road and is at just a 254 km drive way from one of the major cities of the state, Bangalore and 90 km from Mysore.