Hubli

Hubli, also called Hubballi, is an agglomerating city in the state of Karnataka, India after Bangalore the capital city. It is the fastest growing city after Bangalore. The name Hubballi literally means "Flowering creeper" in Kannada. The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad, collectively referred to as “Hubli-Dharwad”, are 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 region.

History

Rayara Hubli, also called 'Eleya Purvada 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.

Under the rule of the Adilshahis, the British opened a factory here. The factory was looted by Shivaji in 1673. The Mughals conquered Rayara Hubli and it was then placed under the governance of the Nawab of Savanur, who built a new extension named Majidpura. Later, trader Basappa Shettar built new Hubli around the Durgadabail (fort maidan) part of Rayara Hubli.

Hubli's famous Moorusavira Matha is claimed to have been established by a Sharana of Basaveshwara's period.

Hubli was conquered by the Marathas from the Nawab of Savanur in 1755-56. In the following years, Hubli was conquered by Hyder Ali, only to be recaptured by the Marathas in 1790. At this point in time the old town was administered by a person named Phadke under the Peshwas and the new town was under the administration of the Sangli Patwardhan.

The British took Old Hubli from the Peshwas in 1817. The new town, with 47 other villages, was handed over to the British by the Sangli Patwardhan in lieu of subsidy in 1820. Later in 1880, the British started the Railway workshop and with this, Hubli came to be reckoned as an industrial centre in this part of India. Hubli is a prosperous handloom weaving centre and has a textile unit.

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

 

 

 

Good Climate to visit

Hubli-Dharwad has a tropical wet and dry climate. Summers are hot and dry, lasting from late February to early June. They are followed by the monsoon season, with moderate temperatures and a large amount of precipitation. Temperatures are fairly moderate from late October to early February, with virtually no rainfall. This is the best season to visit Hubli.

Popular Site

Nrupatunga Betta is one of the favourite tourist place in Hubli city. A hillock is situated on Unkal Hills in Hubli with asphalted roads leading from the base to the top, its a place for relaxation for the people of Hubli - Dharwad.

The hillock has been recently developed by the Dharwad district administration and is more refreshing now. There can be small treks that can be overtaken. There is also a Devi Temple that is situated on top of Nrupatunga Betta.

 

This site is an ideal spot for people who want to spend time away from chaotic urban life. It became the most popular picnic spot of the region after roads were paved here in 1974. With the availability of well-paved roads, this site has become popular among morning-walkers, including locals as well as tourists.