Food In Biligiriranga Hills

Food History of Biligiriranga Hills, Karnataka, India

The Biligiriranga Hills, commonly known as BR Hills, is a hill range situated in the state of Karnataka, India. The region is rich in biodiversity and is a melting pot of both the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, resulting in a unique natural heritage that extends to its food culture as well. The cuisine of BR Hills is influenced by the indigenous Soliga tribe, who have lived in these forests for centuries. Their diet is predominantly plant-based, utilizing locally sourced ingredients like millets, wild greens, roots, and tubers. In addition to the traditional tribal cuisine, BR Hills also reflects the broader South Indian culinary traditions characterized by rice-based dishes and a diverse use of spices, creating a vibrant gastronomic tapestry.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Biligiriranga Hills, Karnataka, India

The following is a list of dishes one should not miss while visiting BR Hills. Each dish offers a glimpse of the region’s culinary diversity, with an emphasis on dishes that are vegetarian:

1. Akki Roti (Veg) - This is a rice-based flatbread that is a staple in Karnataka cuisine, often flavoured with cumin, onions and dill leaves.
2. Ragi Mudde (Veg) - A traditional and nutritious ball made of finger millet flour, often served with a spicy lentil curry or saaru.
3. Bisi Bele Bath (Veg) - A hearty rice, lentil, and vegetable dish, seasoned with tamarind and a special spice blend called bisi bele bath powder.
4. Kosambari (Veg) - A fresh salad made with lentils and vegetables like cucumber or carrot, seasoned with mustard seeds and lemon juice.
5. Uppittu (Upma) (Veg) - A savory cream of wheat breakfast dish cooked with mustard seeds, chilies, onions, and often mixed with vegetables.
6. Masala Dosa (Veg) - A thin, crispy pancake made from a fermented batter of rice and black gram, filled with spiced potatoes.
7. Kayi Holige (Veg) - A sweet flatbread stuffed with a filling made from coconut and jaggery, similar to a stuffed pancake.
8. Vangi Bath (Veg) - A flavorful rice dish made with eggplants, unique spice blends, and often garnished with coriander and grated coconut.
9. Kadubu (Veg) - A variety of steamed dumpling that can be sweet or savoury, often made with a rice or semolina batter and various fillings.
10. Jolada Roti (Veg) - A flatbread made from jowar (sorghum) flour, commonly eaten with spicy curry or chutney.

Top Famous Restaurants in Biligiriranga Hills, Karnataka, India

While BR Hills is more known for its natural beauty than its restaurant scene, a few places in and around the area offer good dining options:

• Gorukana - Soliga Tribal Cuisine
  Address: Near Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple, BR Hills, Karnataka
  Famous Food: Traditional tribal vegetarian cuisine, including ragi-based dishes

• BR Hills Resort Restaurant
  Address: Kyathadevara Gudi Wilderness Camp, BR Hills
  Famous Food: Local Karnataka vegetarian cuisine, such as akki roti and local Sambar

• Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd.
  Address: P.O.K-Gudi, Yelandur Taluk, Chamarajanagar District, BR Hills
  Famous Food: South Indian vegetarian meals, often featuring bisi bele bath and dosas

Please note that since BR Hills is a protected reserve area, there might not be an extensive range of restaurants, but the local homestays and small eateries at nearby towns offer a more personal encounter with the region's traditional food.