National park · India
Biligiriranga Hills
Enter Biligiriranga Hills for a short temple visit (30 min) for under ₹100, or a full‑day trek to the summit (2–3 h) in the cooler months Oct–Mar; avoid weekends to skip crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²)
- Area cited as 250 km² by state sources; boundaries may vary (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Biligiriranga Hills (B R Hills) is a wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district, known for its hill‑top Vishnu temple, forest trails and resident elephants, tigers and leopards.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²) · national park since 2000
Area cited as 250 km² by state sources; boundaries may vary (check).
Why go
- Visit the Biligiri Ranganatha Swami Temple at the hilltop.
- Explore forest trails and spot wildlife such as elephants, tigers and leopards.
- See the sacred Dodda Sampige Mara (big Champaka tree) revered by local tribes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool and dry
- FebMild, good visibility
- MarEnd of dry season
- AprIncreasing heat, occasional showers
- MayHot, early monsoon
- JunMonsoon, trails slippery
- JulHeavy rain, limited access
- AugPeak monsoon
- SepRain recedes, some trails muddy
- OctDry, comfortable trekking
- NovCool, clear skies
- DecPleasant weather
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, LeopardOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds and butterfliesMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mysore
Bus to Chamarajanagar (≈2 h), then taxi or shared jeep 30 min to park gate
3–4 h
From Bangalore
Train to Chamarajanagar (≈5 h) or bus, then local transport to gate
6–7 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Temple zone | Biligiri Ranganatha Swami Temple and surrounding shrine area | Open daily; entry fee applies |
| Forest trail zone | Marked trekking routes to the summit and wildlife spotting areas | Guided or self‑guided with permit |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the sanctuary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (forest sanctuary) | INR 20–30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Check at the forest department office; includes temple access |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Entry time
- Check opening hours at the forest office; usually 8:00–17:00Check opening hours at the forest office; usually 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Camping
- Only allowed at designated Jungle Lodges camp; otherwise prohibited
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use portable stoves only
- Litter
- Carry out all waste
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the temple area
Where to stay
Near the park
JSS Guest House
Basic rooms run by the Hindu endowment department
Near the park
Hotel Mayura Biligiri
KSTDC‑managed hotel with standard amenities
In the park
Kyathadevara Gudi wilderness camp
Jungle Lodges camp for permitted camping
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Monsoon landslides high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Temple area reachable by vehicle with short steps; no wheelchair access to summit.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated camps only; avoid littering.
- Support local tribal communities by buying handicrafts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Biligiriranga Hills?
Entry fee is ₹20–30 per person; a permit is required and obtained at the forest department office.
What are the best hikes in Biligiriranga Hills?
The short climb to the Biligiri Ranganatha Swami Temple (30 min) and the moderate summit trail (2–3 h) are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Biligiriranga Hills?
October to March offers dry, cool weather and better wildlife visibility.
Can I camp inside the sanctuary?
Only at the Jungle Lodges‑run Kyathadevara Gudi wilderness camp; other areas are prohibited.
Is a guide mandatory for the summit trek?
Yes, a licensed guide is required for any trek beyond the temple area.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Biligiriranga Hills
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