To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)

nkrishnap · 6th March 2017, 21:59

November 2016 was when the group at office went on an outing. In January 2nd week, again the itch started for the group and I was given the responsibility of selecting the place and arranging the logistics. I went ahead with Gorukana at BR Hills after getting a nod from the group. February 10th it would be with an overnight stay. We would be using our cars instead of going in a hired vehicle.

Day + 1: 10th February 2017

I had designated the spot on Kanakapura road where everyone would meet at 5.45 am. We had 6 cars in our group and the last car came only at 6.20 am. After everyone assembled we drove towards Kanakapura. The road work slowed our progress. Post Kanakapura it was a breeze. We had packed breakfast to have it on the way. I pulled over at one of empty fields (empty because no cultivation is happening due to water shortage). A leisure breakfast, we continued on but not before we ensured no litter was left behind there at the spot.

Continued driving without much drama and reached Gorukana at 10.45 am. Post the welcome drink, we quickly settled into our cottages. Since most people are not used to starting early, they ended up having a nap post lunch. A handful of people decided we go for the Safari and drove towards K Gudi forest office. Unfortunately one of the jeeps had broken down and the other one already having people waiting for it. We drove to the other end of the check-post and drove back to the resort.

A few pics.

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5040.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5054.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5101.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5120.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5126.jpg

People who are familiar with the route, there is a waterhole adjacent to the road in the route between K Gudi and BR Hills. Heard sambar deer calls. We waited for a good 5 mins and the calls were getting louder. Surely predator on the prowl. Thanks to an over enthusiastic driver in a Tavera, he honked (what a moron to honk inside a reserve forest). The calls died down immediately.

Disappointed we drove on further to the sunset point and spent a good 30 mins.

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_8336.jpg

Post the soothing sunset and we were back at the resort. Post Tea we regrouped for the tribal event that the resort folks had planned for the evening. Post dinner, folks chilled out.

Day 2 continued.

nkrishnap · 6th March 2017, 22:08

Day 2: 11th February 2017

The same group who were interested in a safari were ready by 5.30 am. We drove to the forest gate and the guard was not to be seen. The resort folks called the guard and he guided us to the location where he had hid the key. Opened the gate and we were off. We reached the forest office and this time we were happy to see the jeep waiting for us.

A few pics from the safari.

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5153.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5162.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5170.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5193.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5205.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5223.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5243.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_8347.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_8355.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_8356.jpg

As we were heading back to the forest office post the safari, I kept hearing the whistling noises. It had to be the Dholes. Asked the driver to stop and there we go with the Dholes hogging away, it was a spotted deer kill.

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5273.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5281.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5303.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5314.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5339.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5346.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5356.jpg

To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills)-img_5384.jpg

Post safari, with happy faces we went back to the resort for sumptuous breakfast. Checked out at 10.30 am, visited the Temple and drove back towards Bangalore. Knowing the traffic would be crazy on Kanakapura road, we decided to take Mysore road. We were back home by 6 pm.

Aditya · 7th March 2017, 07:07

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Travelogues. Thanks for sharing!

NPV · 7th March 2017, 07:18

@nkrishnap - Excellent report and pictures, thanks for sharing

The BR Hills temple will be closed for about 18 months for renovation work starting March 15 - Link (Source:New Indian Express)

nkrishnap · 7th March 2017, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV

@nkrishnap - Excellent report and pictures, thanks for sharing

The BR Hills temple will be closed for about 18 months for renovation work starting March 15 - Link (Source:New Indian Express)

Yes, heard about the renovation from the priest there. It does need some work to be done especially the flooring around the temple. But in the name of renovation, they should not commercialize it. It will destroy the essence of the place.

srinivaspai · 24th March 2017, 23:06

may be this is the time to visit as we can expect lesser footfalls due to temple closure ?

srvm · 29th March 2021, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV

@nkrishnap - Excellent report and pictures, thanks for sharing

The BR Hills temple will be closed for about 18 months for renovation work starting March 15 - Link (Source:New Indian Express)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

Yes, heard about the renovation from the priest there. It does need some work to be done especially the flooring around the temple. But in the name of renovation, they should not commercialize it. It will destroy the essence of the place.

Saw in Today's edition of "The Hindu" that the BR Hills Temple will open to public after renovation on 3rd April 2021.

NPV · 29th March 2021, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvm

Saw in Today's edition of "The Hindu" that the BR Hills Temple will open to public after renovation on 3rd April 2021.

That news was from 2017, did they take 48 months (Till April 2021) to actually complete the work that was estimated for 18 months back then ?

srvm · 29th March 2021, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV

That news was from 2017, did they take 48 months (Till April 2021) to actually complete the work that was estimated for 18 months back then ?

He he! You know how our Govt works. They can now blame the delay on Covid-19 as well

iamnarayang · 20th June 2024, 15:43

Dear Friends,
I will be travelling with my family to BR Hills on friday, June 21st morning. Will be staying one night at KSTDC BR Hills. Kindly suggest a good route to BR Hills, Kanakapura route or Mysore road route?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Narayan.

Stryker · 20th June 2024, 19:12

Best route would be on Mysore expressway. Maddur - Malavalli - Kollegala - B R Hills. Roads are good throughout, although after you turn off the expressway, it is single lane. If you take the Kanakapura route, you'll end up at Malavalli anyway, so there isn't much advantage.

aravind.anand · 29th July 2024, 17:37

We are planning to be at B.R. Hills next weekend. And whenever I check the route on Google maps, it keeps giving a warning for floods along the banks of Cauvery. Is that something to be worried about?

Kosfactor · 29th July 2024, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

We are planning to be at B.R. Hills next weekend. And whenever I check the route on Google maps, it keeps giving a warning for floods along the banks of Cauvery. Is that something to be worried about?

No flooding around that area you can go without any worry. The only possible issue is if trees fall over the road , given its a pilgrimage route up the hill (you can approach it from either sides, both are beautiful scenic routes) it would anyways get cleared soon.

6th March 2017, 21:59	#1
nkrishnap Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,983 Thanked: 7,425 Times View My Garage	To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) November 2016 was when the group at office went on an outing. In January 2nd week, again the itch started for the group and I was given the responsibility of selecting the place and arranging the logistics. I went ahead with Gorukana at BR Hills after getting a nod from the group. February 10th it would be with an overnight stay. We would be using our cars instead of going in a hired vehicle. Day + 1: 10th February 2017 I had designated the spot on Kanakapura road where everyone would meet at 5.45 am. We had 6 cars in our group and the last car came only at 6.20 am. After everyone assembled we drove towards Kanakapura. The road work slowed our progress. Post Kanakapura it was a breeze. We had packed breakfast to have it on the way. I pulled over at one of empty fields (empty because no cultivation is happening due to water shortage). A leisure breakfast, we continued on but not before we ensured no litter was left behind there at the spot. Continued driving without much drama and reached Gorukana at 10.45 am. Post the welcome drink, we quickly settled into our cottages. Since most people are not used to starting early, they ended up having a nap post lunch. A handful of people decided we go for the Safari and drove towards K Gudi forest office. Unfortunately one of the jeeps had broken down and the other one already having people waiting for it. We drove to the other end of the check-post and drove back to the resort. A few pics. People who are familiar with the route, there is a waterhole adjacent to the road in the route between K Gudi and BR Hills. Heard sambar deer calls. We waited for a good 5 mins and the calls were getting louder. Surely predator on the prowl. Thanks to an over enthusiastic driver in a Tavera, he honked (what a moron to honk inside a reserve forest). The calls died down immediately. Disappointed we drove on further to the sunset point and spent a good 30 mins. Post the soothing sunset and we were back at the resort. Post Tea we regrouped for the tribal event that the resort folks had planned for the evening. Post dinner, folks chilled out. Day 2 continued.
	(8) Thanks

6th March 2017, 22:08	#2
nkrishnap Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,983 Thanked: 7,425 Times View My Garage	re: To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) Day 2: 11th February 2017 The same group who were interested in a safari were ready by 5.30 am. We drove to the forest gate and the guard was not to be seen. The resort folks called the guard and he guided us to the location where he had hid the key. Opened the gate and we were off. We reached the forest office and this time we were happy to see the jeep waiting for us. A few pics from the safari. As we were heading back to the forest office post the safari, I kept hearing the whistling noises. It had to be the Dholes. Asked the driver to stop and there we go with the Dholes hogging away, it was a spotted deer kill. Post safari, with happy faces we went back to the resort for sumptuous breakfast. Checked out at 10.30 am, visited the Temple and drove back towards Bangalore. Knowing the traffic would be crazy on Kanakapura road, we decided to take Mysore road. We were back home by 6 pm.
	(11) Thanks

7th March 2017, 07:07	#3
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 18,819 Thanked: 81,272 Times View My Garage	re: To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Travelogues. Thanks for sharing!
	(2) Thanks

7th March 2017, 07:18	#4
NPV Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 7,353 Thanked: 10,636 Times	re: To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) @nkrishnap - Excellent report and pictures, thanks for sharing The BR Hills temple will be closed for about 18 months for renovation work starting March 15 - Link (Source:New Indian Express)
	(2) Thanks

24th March 2017, 23:06	#6
srinivaspai BHPian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: mangalore Posts: 73 Thanked: 23 Times	Re: To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) may be this is the time to visit as we can expect lesser footfalls due to temple closure ?
	() Thanks

20th June 2024, 15:43	#10
iamnarayang BHPian Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bangalore Posts: 130 Thanked: 45 Times	Re: To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) Dear Friends, I will be travelling with my family to BR Hills on friday, June 21st morning. Will be staying one night at KSTDC BR Hills. Kindly suggest a good route to BR Hills, Kanakapura route or Mysore road route? Thanks in advance. Regards, Narayan. Last edited by iamnarayang : 20th June 2024 at 15:44.
	() Thanks

20th June 2024, 19:12	#11
Stryker BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 522 Thanked: 3,083 Times	Re: To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) Best route would be on Mysore expressway. Maddur - Malavalli - Kollegala - B R Hills. Roads are good throughout, although after you turn off the expressway, it is single lane. If you take the Kanakapura route, you'll end up at Malavalli anyway, so there isn't much advantage.
	(1) Thanks

29th July 2024, 17:37	#12
aravind.anand Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: BLR <-> CBE Posts: 2,117 Thanked: 5,884 Times View My Garage	Re: To Biligiriranga Hills (aka BR Hills) We are planning to be at B.R. Hills next weekend. And whenever I check the route on Google maps, it keeps giving a warning for floods along the banks of Cauvery. Is that something to be worried about?
	() Thanks