A unique blend of hill resort and wildlife sanctuary, the hills take their name from the ancient Ranganatha Swamy Temple that sits at the edge of a granite precipice with a drop of more than 1000 ft. into a dense forest. Find inner peace at the foot of the great champak tree (Dodda Sampige), believed to be more than 2000 years old and worshipped by the Soligas, the tribals of that area. Don't miss the coffee estates, the tribal hamlets and the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra which displays preserved tribal information and the biodiversity of the region. There are many trekking trails here, including one that leads up to Honnamati, the highest point of the range.
Chamarajanagar District; 539.52 sq km.
The vegetation ranges from dry scrub jungle to evergreen forests, and high altitude shola grassland habitat.
These include the elephant, tiger, leopard, wild dog, jungle cat, sloth bear, civet, mongoose, Malabar giant squirrel, porcupine, common langur, bonnet macaque, wild pig, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, and four-horned antelope.
The Malabar whistling thrush, yellow throated bulbul, paradise flycatcher,racquet tailed drongo, and crested hawk eagle are some of the birds found here. There is also an amazing variety of exotic butterflies.
