Hubli

Hubli, officially known as Hubballi, is a city in Northwestern Karnataka. The city is a bustling trading centre of little scenic beauty.

Understand
The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad are unified by single Municipal Corporation. Hubli-Dharwad is the second biggest urban area of Karnataka after Bangalore. The name Hubballi literally means "flower creeper" in Kannada. Dharwad is a charming quaint town spread across seven little hills.

Hubli is commercial hub. Hubli 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. 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.

By plane
Once you reach Hubli airport, taxi service is available 24 hours in Hubli. Hubli airport is 15 km from Dharwad.

By train
Hubli is well connected to all major parts of India.

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. The best option would be to hire a local taxi from any of the travel agents.

There are city buses running at the frequency of 2 minutes between Hubli and Dharwad. Also from Dharwad Central Bus Terminus (CBT) to various localities of Dharwad. One can hire autorickshaws to visit different places within city limits. Private taxis are also available.

See

 * 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 3 km 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:


 * Magoda Falls
 * Satoda Falls
 * Sogalla - Water Fall
 * Hebballi Math
 * Sai Mandir in Unkal
 * Sai Mandir in Unkal

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 on Gokul Road.
 * MG Market a 1-km-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 outlets all overHubli & Dharwad
 * Other retail shops are Ambika Bazzar, Harsha, Pai, Giriyas, Pick N Pay, Smart.

Eat

 * Jowar Rotti
 * Badanikai Palya
 * Red Chilli Chutney
 * 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.
 * 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.

Seven Beans: a 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.

Drink

 * Lassi
 * Butter milk
 * The juice shop opposite Janata Bazar sells delicious juices
 * The juice of sugar cane all season you can drink in all over hubli or dharwar,

Sleep

 * Hotel Naveen, Unkal Lake, 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

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, Pattadakal, Aihole, Kudalasangama, 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.