What can you say about a place where the local deity is a wandering spirit who wears outsized sandals? And a region so wild that the milestones are painted yellow and green for fear of marauding elephants? For some obscure reason, wild elephants in these parts get so peeved by white milestones that they pull them out and fling them around. The Forest Department recently pulled one of these specimens out of a tree.

Welcome To BR HILLS.

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BR Hills used to be a mere temple in a hillock with a rarely visited wildlife sanctuary nearby. That's until Jungle Lodges transformed it into the wildest vacationing spot in Karnataka. Te range stretches for about 16 km and takes its name from the Biligiri in Kannada means ?white mountain?, the name is misnomer. The area is a thick forest of green dotted by deciduous tress and patches of shola rainforest.

Not that Lord Rangaswamy- the patron deity of these forests ? is your average kind of outsized sandals measuring one foot and nine inches! Local legend contends that Rangaswamy uses these sandals to roam the adjoining forests. Almost as if by logical extension, the sandals wear out and are replaced by the villagers every two years, who claim they are alerted about it in their dreams, if your adventure quotient is high, the fun doesn't end just here. There's the BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, the Soliga tribals who are the oldest inhabitants of these forests and the odd signboard that warns you of the most elusive creature of the forests-Veerappan!

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

BR Hills is as excellent area for wildlife, trekking and adventure activities. The forest cover is thick, with a range of flora and fauna on view.

Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple

This centuries-old temple is dedicated to lord Rangaswamy and is perched atop a hill reached by 1500old steps. Nearby is a 1,000-ft drop to the forest. Recently, a steep road was constructed that offers spectacular views all around. The only time the trickle of locals to this secluded temple becomes a deluge is during the Ratha Festival that takes place every April.

BRT Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 525 sq km of undulating hills. BR Hills is a treasure house of varied animal life. The sanctuary spread over the Biligiri Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar ranges, forms an important link between the Eastern and the Western Ghats of India. Trek up on foot or opt for jeep safaris of elephant rides. Make sure you take prior permission from the Forest Department at Chamrajnagar.

Dodda Sampige Mara

Literally the ?Big Champak Tree?, this is a 2,000-year-old giant tree that still flowers in season. The Soliga tribals believe it is the abode of Lord Rangaswamy. It's believed that other deities also reside here, represented by 101 stone lingams.

for kids

The presence of the Cauvery and numerous water bodies makes it a haven for amateur fishing, coaracle boat rides and river-afting. The lush landscape is ideal for trekking and outdoor camping. Jungle safaris and elephant rides will leave kids as chirpy as the numerous birds that abound.

Shopping

Top quality honey, pickles, jam and ayurvedic medicines, fresh and free from artificial additives, and ethnic bamboo baskets are produced and marketed by the Soliga tribals in and around the sanctuary. It is also a good way to pool back funds into the tribal development programme.

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

Part of the Jungle Lodges K. Gudi Camp (tariff: $50 t0 60) is a hunting bungalow.

Getting there:Route from Bangalore NH209 to Chamrajnagar via Kanakapura, Malavalli and Shivanasamudram; state road to BR Hills.

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