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Land of the white hills
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Doing B.R. Hills is a great way to get away from stress
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TIRED OF deadlines, meetings, and targets? Looking to laze around and unwind? Check out Biligiri Rangana Betta (B.R. Hills), which is picturesquely situated between the Cauvery and Kapila.
A visit to the B.R. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a great weekend idea. It is located at an altitude of 3,300 ft and is spread over an area of 542 sq km. All round the hills are deciduous trees and vegetation one hardly sees in the midst of the city. While we spotted leopards, bison, spotted and barking deer, and wild boars in a single visit, you can come across tigers if you're lucky and elephants commonly. Also, gaurs, chitals, sambars, bears, and panthers inhabit the place in large numbers.
With over 200 species of birds, B.R. Hills is an ornithologist's paradise. Don't be surprised if see a spotted woodpecker and the crested eagle swoop by.
You can cover the forest by jeep. The more adventurous can trek. Either way it makes for a great experience. And if you thrown in an elephant ride, your day is made.
Make sure to check out the great champak tree or the Dodda Sampige Mara. Believed to be more than 1,000 years old, it is worshipped by the Soligas, the tribal people of the area. The Ranganatha Swamy temple atop the hill witnesses a chariot festival in April.
Appropriate gear
It would be a good idea to wear loose clothes in muted colours and a pair of good sneakers or walking shoes. Don't forget your camera and binoculars. Maintain silence so that you won't alarm the creatures of the forest. This way, you can hear the sounds of nature that we in the city have become strangers to.
By road, B.R. Hills is located 225 km from Bangalore via Mysore and Nanjangud. Another route via Maddur, Mallavalli and Kollegal, which is around 185 km. If you are travelling from Mysore, it is about 90 km. Many buses ply between these locations. From Mysore, it is 85 km by road via Chamarajanagar, Nallur, and Navodaya School. However, it is best if you can drive down.
While accommodation is easily available, one place where you could stay is the Jungle Lodges camp, located in Kyathadevarayana Gudi or K. Gudi. While we stayed in a neatly designed log hut, there are also conventional furnished rooms. The tariff includes food and sight seeing facilities. This camp is the ideal setting to listen to the sound of chirping birds and humming bees.
Contact Jungle Lodges at 2nd Floor, Shrungar Shopping Centre, M.G. Road, Bangalore 560001, or e-mail reservation@junglelodges.com or info@junglelodges.com, ph: 25597021, 25597024 or 25597025.
Alternatively you could get in touch with Gangaswamy, Manager, K. Gudi Wilderness Camp, Kyathadevarayana Gudi (K.Gudi), B.R.TWildlife Sanctuary, B.R.Hills, Chamarajnagar District, Pin Code: 571 313, ph: 08226-706086. You can also e-mail brt@junglelodges.com for additional information.
RASHMI GOPAL RAO
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Madurai
Mangalore
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
|
