Hubli-Dharwad

Hubli - Dharwad - population 850,000 (2007 estimate) - is a city in Karnataka State.

Get in

The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad are actually two cities, unified by single Municipal Corporation. Hubli-Dharwad is the second biggest Conurbation of Karnataka. Hubli has been renamed as Hubballi on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of formation of Karnataka state. The name Hubballi literally means "Hu" - flower and "Balli" - creeper in Kannada. In reality however, the city is a bustling trading centre of little scenic beauty. On the other hand Dharwad is a charming quaint town spread across seven little hills.

Hubli is the commercial centre and business hub of North Karnataka. It is also a noted industrial town. This historic town was known as Raya Hubli and also as Elaya Puravada Halli during the ancient times. This city metamorphosed into an important commercial centre for trade in cotton and iron during the reign of the Vijaynagara empire. The city is noted for its handloom textile units and has many cotton ginning and processing mills. Cotton and groundnuts (peanuts for the Americans) are grown aplenty in the surrounding rural areas, and Hubli serves as a major trading centre for both commodities. Sea It is also an important city for the Indian Railways, being the headquarters for South Western Railway Zone and the Hubli Division. It also has a century-old railway wagon workshop.

Dharwad, on the contrary is the seat of learning with two universities, plenty of colleges and some very progressive schools. Hubli-Dharwad are also the renowned seat of Hindustani Music. Dharwad is also emerging as hub for Automobile industry with big plants like Tata Construction (TELCON) & Tata Motors.

By plane

• Hubli has an airport. The Indian private airliner SpiceJet operates daily flights to Bangalore and Mumbai.

By train

Hubli is well connected to all major parts of India

• To Bangalore: InterCity Express (2726)(Departure at 6.20AM), Jan Shatabdi Express (2080)(Departure at 2.00PM), Rani Chennamma Express (6590), Hampi Express (6591)
• To Mysore:Dharwad-Mysore Express
• To Mumbai & Pune: Chalukya Express (1018), Sharavati Express (1036)
• To New Delhi: Sampark Kranti (2629); Link/Goa Express
• To Kolkata/Vijayawada: Vasco Howrah Express (2848)
• To Chennai: Hubli Chennai (7314), Vasco Chennai (7312)
• To Hyderabad: Haripriya Express (7416)
• To Ahmedabad & Rajasthan: Jodhpur Express (6508), Ajmer Express (6510), Garib Nawaz Express (6532), Gandhidham Express (6506)

Hubli-Dharwad Local

By bus

Hubli is well connected to Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Mangalore,Mysore and Goa by bus, both by private carriers and the state owned NWKRTC (North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation). Some prominent private carriers are:

• VRL: Offers Sleeper coaches and sitting to Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Mangalore
• Kamat: Offers Sleeper coaches and sitting to Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai

VOLVO buses being operated by many of the private and state carriers are much faster and comfortable than normal deluxe buses.

Get around

• There are various options available to travel within the city. There is a good suburban city bus service connecting various parts of Hubli and Dharwad. Local Rickshaws are also available,though you will have to bargain hard as they refuse to ply by the meter. Totravel around best option would be to hire a local taxi from any of the travel agents.

See

Nuggikeri Hamuman Temple. in Dharwad. 4 km from toll gate towards Kalghatagi on bypass.

• Unkal Lake and the Bund Gardnen - 4 km from Hubli on Dharwad Road.
• Nrupatunga Betta - promising panoramic view of the expanse of Hubli City- with in city, 5 km from chennamma circle.
• Venkateshwara temple behind Nrupatunga Betta (hill) for calm and serenity. 5 km from Chennamma Circle.
• Gayatri Tapovan- Near Tadasa, 21 Km on bangalore road,
• Siddharodh Math 3km from Chennamma Circle on Karwar road,
• Glass House Garden walking distance from Chennamma circle
• Water Park 9 km from Chennamma Circle on Karwar Road.

Do

Nearby attractions:

• Center for introspection and enlightenment (in Hirehonnalli, Kalghatgi, Dhawar and 1/2 hr from Hubli). A temple and library. 
• Magoda Falls
• Satoda Falls
• Sogalla - Water Fall
• Hebballi Math
• Sai Mandir in Unkal
• Lord Shiva statue (Shankar Moorthi), Shiva Nagar, near Green Garden. 
• ISKCON Temple, Hubli-Dharwad Rd. Krishna temple, really relaxing place. 
• Shree Sai Mandir, Sai Nagar (Near Nrupatunga Betta). Beautiful place to visit. 

Buy

• "'Urban Oasis Mall"'
• "'U Mall"'
• "'Laxmi Mall"'
• Dharwad Peda - a sweet cake made from milk and khoa. This sweet is world famous for its taste and purity. Definite no miss if you visit Dharwad or Hubballi
• Big Bazaar - A shopping mall has recently opened on Gokul Road and one can find all the required items here.
• M,G , market named as broadway there as long as one kilometer long market & you can buy everything at very low price

• Reliance Fresh -- Has its branch all over Hubli.......
• More. - A Aditya Birla group has its retail Out let all over Hubli & Dharwad.......
• Other retail shops are Ambika Bazzar, Harsha, Pai, Giriyas, Pick N Pay, Smart etc...

Eat

• Jowar Rotti
• Badanikai Palya
• Red Chilli Chutney
• Biryani Paradise, Unkal Cross. 
• Ground Nut Powder etc
• New Bombay Hotel, Old Hubli
• Chat
• Smoking Joes Pizzas
• Good North Indian and South Indian restaurants are in plenty
• Do visit the local KHANAVALIs (Kannada name of "Hotel") which provide authentic North Karnataka food, they are plenty and aptly priced around ₹30 to ₹50 per meals.

Other good restaurants include:

The Taj- "Gateway"

The Denissons

The President

Clarks Inn

Ananth Residency

Hotel Picolo

Ananth Executive

Hotel Travel Inn

Hotel Hans

Hotel Tirumala

Hotel Swathi

Hotel Trupti International

Hotal Edan Gardens

Ice Cream Pub TB Road Hubli. Enjoy super speciality Ice Creams

Seven Beans Superb cafe located at Vidyanagar, Hubli. Visit to see the local youngsters congregating and for some great coffees! Also provides free unlimited WI-FI, a library, business solutions etc

• Canara Hotel, Hosur. One of the best hotels for delicious South and North Indian delicacy 
• The Hans Hotel, PB Road, Vidyanagar (Opp BVB College), ☎ [phone]. At The Hans Hotel pamper your taste buds to the exotic tastes of good food. There is a wide range to choose from - authentic cuisines of Indian, Continental and Chinese. Also, a great lounge bar to set your spirits free. 

Drink

• Lassi
• Butter milk
• The juice shop opposite Janata Bazar sells delicious juices
• The juice of sugar cane all seson you can drink in all over hubli or dharwar,
• Abhiman hotel, Opp kims main gate (Vidhyanagar). Onion chicken,natti chicken, neer dosa, boiled shenga ,g p dry, ring pakoda 
• Nirmila Kitchen, Ashok Nagar (Near old railway gate), ☎ [phone]. Specialist in North Indian Thalis and Prathas 
• 🌍 The Hans Hotel, PB Road, Vidyanagar, Hubli (Opp BVB Engg College), ☎ [phone]. The Hans Hotel is a modern business class property that offers convenient access to all the important commercial and business centers of the city, as well as to the popular educational and shopping centers. With its range of modern conveniences and personalized services, the hotel caters to the requirements of business travelers who are looking for a comfortable place to stay & discuss business 
• 🌍 OMG Lounge, Poolside at The Hans Hotel, ☎ [phone]. 15:30 to 23:30. The OMG Lounge - an intimate & fashionable lounge bar is the first in genre of designer Food & Beverage outlets in the North Karnataka landscape.
  The OMG Lounge has been created to reflect an identity that is young , hip and trendy with a use of colors that are 'citrusy' vibrant and 'fresh OMG is a luxurious Lounge that offers great value to its discerning clientele. It combines international standards with a touch of Indian warmth and hospitality & presents a distinctive dining experience 

Sleep

• Hotel Naveen, Unkal, P.B.Road.
• Hotel Hans, Vidyanagar, P.B.Road.
• Hotel Clarks Inn, Gokul Road.
• Travel Inn, Sattur, Dharwad (Beside SDM Dental College)
• Hotel Hoysala, P.B. Road, Dharwad
• Mandar ResidencyCollege Road, Dharwad
• . Navallur, P.B Rd. 
• Hotel Ashray, PB Road, Traffic Island, Hubli (In the heart of city (Traffic Island) on PB Road), ☎ [phone]. Well maintained, clean and reasonable business Hotel 
• 🌍 The Hans Hotel, PB Road, Vidyanagar Hubli (Opp BVB College of Engg), ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 24 hours, check-out: 24 hours. The Hans Hotel is a modern business class property that offers convenient access to all the important commercial and business centers of the city, as well as to the popular educational and shopping centers. With its range of modern conveniences and personalized services, the hotel caters to the requirements of business travelers who are looking for a comfortable place to stay & discuss business 2000. 

Go next

Hubli has all the necessary infrastructure to emerge as an ideal base for exploring North Karnataka historical places. It can serve is the best pit stop for tourists visiting the world heritage monuments of Vijayanagar at Hampi, the Chalukyan temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadkal and the Kadamba temples at Banavasi. Dandeli Wild Life sanctuary, which offers river rafting in Kalinadi and India's highest waterfall at Jog Falls are also located nearby. Also not to miss are the Tibetan Monasteries and temples in Mundgod. A little bit of state support and plenty of private initiative (which is yet to manifest)can pitchfork Hubli as an important base centre for tourism.

• The city has an advantageous location being surrounded by a number of important historical and mythological places within a radius of about 200 km. There are important tourist and historical places such as Ghataprabha, Gokak Falls, Soundati Yellamma Temple, Kittur, Badami, Pattadkal, Aihole, Kudalasangam, Bijapur, Bagewadi, Basavakallyan on northern side, on the western and southern sides there are Dandeli, Port-town of Karwar, Gokarn, Magod falls, Ulavi, Banavasi, Jog-falls, Shimoga and Bhadravathi, Laxmeshwar and Tungabhadra Dam and on eastern side Hampi, Lakkundi and Mantralaya.