Hubli (Also called as Hubballi, Kannada: ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ (Marathi: हुबळी) is a major city in the state of Karnataka of India. Together, twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad, collectively referred to as "Hubli-Dharwad", is the second-largest conurbation in Karnataka after Bangalore. While Dharwad is the administrative headquarters, the city of Hubli, situated about 20 km south-east of Dharwad, is the commercial centre and business hub of North Karnataka. crops like Cotton and peanuts are grown aplenty in the surrounding rural areas, and Hubli is a major trading center for both commodities. It is also an important city for the Indian Railways, being the headquarters for South Western Railway Zone and the Hubli Railway Division. The name Hubballi literally means "flowering creeper" in Kannada.

Demographics

Hubli-Dharwad is located 425 km northwest of Bangalore, on the National Highway 4 between Bangalore and Pune. The City is governed by the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation , having an elected council. Kannada is the major language of communication. Marathi is also widely spoken.

Climate

The climate of the city is extremely good throughout the year and especially Dharwad is known for its salubrious climate

The M.S.L. of Hubli is 626.97 meters and that of Dharwad is 696.97 meters. The average yearly rainfall is 838 mm .

History

Rayara Hubli, also called 'Eleya Puravada Halli' or 'Purballi' was the old Hubli, where there is a Bhavani Shankara temple and Jaina basti. Under Vijayanagara Rayas, Rayara Hubli grew as a commercial centre, famous for trade in cotton, saltpetre and iron.

The British opened a factory here when it came under the Adilshahis. Shivaji looted the factory in 1673. The Mughals conquered it and the place came under the Savanur Nawab who built a new extension named Majidpura and trader Basappa Shetty built new Hubli around the Durgadabail (fort maidan).

There is the famous Moorusavira Matha, and the Matha authorities claim that it was begun by a Sharana of Basaveshwara's period.

Hubli was conquered by the Marathas from the Savanur Nawab in 1755-56. Later Haider conquered it, but it was recaptured by the Marathas in 1790, and the old town was administered by one Phadke under the Peshwa and the new town by Sangli Patwardhan.

British took old Hubli in 1817 and the new town with 47 other villages was handed over to the British by the Sangli Patwardhan in lieu of the subsidy in 1820. Hubli is a prosperous handloom weaving centre and has a Textile Unit.

The Railway Workshop started here in 1880, made it a reckonable industrial centre.

The Bhavanishankar temple in old Hubli and the impressive Chandramauleshwara / Chaturlinga temple in Unakal are of Chalukyan times. Kundgol, 15 km. south of Hubli, has the huge Shambhu Linga temple of Chalukyan times.

Industrial & Business development

Hubli is one of the fastest developing industrial hub in Karnataka after Bangalore, with more than 1000 allied small and medium industries already established basically located in Gokul Road & Tarihal regions of Hubli. There are machine tools industries, electrical, steel furnitures, food products, rubber and leather industries and tanning industries. With the establishment of K.E.C, Bhoruka textile Mill, Universal Group of Industries, Microfinish Group, N.G.E.F, K.M.F, BDK Group of Industries and Murudeshwar Ceramics^[7][8]. It has gathered momentum in industrial development. Hotel industry got the critical revival when Three star hotels were established, the first one was Naveen hotel & then Hans hotel , and with respect to restaurant chain business, Kamat groups are the most significant restaurant groups in Hubli-Dharwad region.

To promote the overall economic development of varied industries, institutions and business houses "Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry" was formed, it's one of the premier association, which has been gaining momentum in achieving potential growth and prosperity in Hubli region .And one more key aspect of industrialisation for Hubli-Dharwad was foundation of Agricultural Produce Market Committee, which aimed at providing hassle free market conditions for farmers, to establish regulated & stimulated production of various agricultural related commodities & goods.

Establishment of new generation Diesel Electric railway locomotive shed in the city by Indian railways was another major boost for development of Industries in this region as this was first of its kind in Indian Railways history, this has created a lot of job opportunities for Diploma & Engineering students of this region.

Hubli Software IT Park is situated in the heart of the City and is promoted by the Government of Karnataka IT Department and KEONICS acts as the modal agency for maintaining and marketing of IT Park Hubli.STPI-Hubli Software Technology Parks of India(Organization under the Dept of IT,Govt of India)has been operational from May 2001 and it is located in the 4th Floor of IT Park, to provide the Data communication, Industry promotion and Incubation services to IT/ITES industry

Trade

The city is situated in the dividing line between Malenadu and planes. The Malenadu is well known for its forests and forest based industries and the other three side region are known for their agricultural products like cotton, groundnut, oilseeds manganese ore and granite stones. The value of agricultural products coming into Hubli market runs into multiple crores. The Cotton Market of Hubli is one among the five biggest markets in India.

Transportation

Hubli is well connected by road, rail and air. NWKRTC (North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation) is a state run corporation headquarted at Gokul Road, Hubli. There is excellent inter-city transportation between Hubli and Dharwad as NWKRTC and Bendre Nagara Sarige (a consortium of private bus-owners) healthily compete to cater to the large number of commuters between Hubli and Dharwad daily. Bus services from the twin-cities exist to every part of Karnataka and neighbouring states and other popular destinations. There are many private bus operators who render services for overnight travel between Hubli and Bangalore, Mangalore, Pune, Mumbai.

Several express and passenger trains ply between Hubli and Bangalore everyday. Hubli being an important railway junction has daily trains to Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Vijayawada, Mysore and weekly services to Chennai, Howrah and Thiruvanantapuram.

Kingfisher Airlines provides daily flights to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Culture

Hindustani classical music diverged from the principle which eventually came to be identified as Carnatic classical music. Karnataka is unique in the sense that it offers rich traditions in both Hindustani as well as Carnatic music. Carnatic music being prevalent in Old mysore, Hoysala Karnataka and parts of Dakshin and Uttara Kannada regions.

Hindustani music is patronized in the regions of Hubli-Dharwad, Hyderabad Karnataka, Belgaum region.

Kundgol, den for renowned Hindustani classical music singers, is a town situated about 20 km south-east of Hubli. Sawai Gandharva, Kumar Gandarva, Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi, etc. have had their birth as singers from Hubli.

Tourism

A temple of chalukya times, dedicated to god Chandramouleshvara (another name of Shiva), with impressive architecture can be seen in Hubli.

Bhavanishankar Temple This Chalukyan temple with the image of Sri Narayana is flanked by the ten incarnations of God.

Asar It was built by Mohammed Ali Shah in about 1646 to serve as a hall of justice. The building was also used to house two holy hairs from the Prophet's beard. Women are not allowed inside.

Nrupatunga Hill This is a picnic spot in Hubli

Sayed Fateh Shah Vali

The Shrine of great sufi, The place of worship for both Hindu and Muslims in Hubli Dharwad.

Siddharoodha Math is the eminent religious institution, a centre of Advaita philosophy as preached by Swami Siddharoodha, is located at near outskirts of Hubli.

Unkal Lake

A pictorial water spot with a magnificent sunset view, this perfect picnic spot has green garden, recreational facilities for the children, boating facilities, etc. The lake is 3 km away from Hubli.

Glass House As the name suggests, this is a palace of glass, inaugurated by the former Indian Prime Minister, Smt.Indira Gandhi.

Babashankari Temple Amargol:Between Hubli and Dharwad, Conservation and restoration work is in progress

Photo Gallery:

Chandramouleshwara Temple

Sidharoodha Math Old-Hubli

Courtesy: Wikipedia