About Hubli

Country: India | State: Karnataka

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Hubli: Hubli

Best Time to Visit Hubli: October to February

Peak Season: November to January

At a distance of 22 km from Dharwad, 57 km from Gadag, 76 km from Dandeli, 100 km from Belgaum, 102 km from Sirsi, 104 km from Badami, 147 km from Gokarna, 169 km from Karwar, 177 km from Panjim, 183 km from Shimoga, 205 km from Murudeshwar, 210 km from Ballari, 361 km from Mangalore, 406 km from Bangalore, 435 km from Mysore, and 527 km from Hyderabad, Hubli, officially known as Hubballi, is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is one of the must include places in Karnataka tour packages, and among the best places to visit near Kolhapur.

Hubli or Hubballi is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Karnataka, and the second-largest city in the state after Bangalore. Lying on the 'Golden Quadrilateral' this multi-faceted city is also known as the cultural, educational, and music capital of the state. The city boasts numerous monuments and monasteries, that can be visited as part of Hubli holiday packages. Hubli is often called Chotta Mumbai due to its immense commercial development. Apart from being home to almost one lakh small and medium scale industries, the city is a major center for commodity trade, which includes crops like peanuts, chilli, and cotton. Besides Sufi Darghas, it is known for Hindustani music exponents like Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal, and illustrious poets like DR Bendre and VK Gokak. Hubli is also the base station for many Dandeli holiday packages.

The name Hubballi comes from the term Hoovina Balli which means 'Flowering Creeper' in Kannada. Hubli is the anglicized version of Hubballi. During ancient times, the historic town of Hubli was known by the names Raya Hubli and Elaya Puravada Halli. The city thrived as a commercial center during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. Under the rule of the Adilshahis, the British opened a factory here and was looted by Shivaji in 1673. The Mughals conquered Rayara Hubli and it was then placed under the governance of the Nawab of Savanur in 1755. Hubli was conquered by Hyder Ali, only to be recaptured by the Marathas in 1790. The British took Old Hubli from the Peshwas in 1817. Later in 1880, the British started the Railway workshop and with this, Hubli came to be reckoned as an industrial center in this part of India.

The city boasts numerous monuments and monasteries. Built-in the 12th century by the Chalukyas, the Chandramouleshwara Temple situated in Unkal, is frequented by tourists all through the year. Nrupatunga Betta, Indira Gandhi Glass House Garden, Unkal Lake, Sidharoodha Math, Navagraha Teertha, Banashankari Temple at Amargol, ISKCON Krishna Balarama Temple, Nuggikeri Hanuman Temple, Sayed Fatehshah Dargah, and Sri Kalika Devi Temple in Sirsangi are the other prominent Hubli places to visit. The city of Hubli is also renowned for its handloom textile industry with several cotton ginning and processing mills. Another specialty of the city is the delicious Pedas which is a sweet cake made from milk.

Dharwad Festival is the most important cultural festival conducted in the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad annually in November/December. The major highlights of this day-long festival include music and dance performance, theater arts, janapada, and painting, etc. Unkal Jatra Mahotsava is another festival that is celebrated at the 110 years old Unkal Lake. This festival is held for about one week and ends with the Ratha Yatra of Sri Siddappajja. Many cultural programs are held during this festival which is also attended by huge numbers of devotees.

About 8 km from Hubli Junction, Hubli Airport is the nearest airport that has direct flights from Bangalore, and Mumbai. Goa Airport, about 197 km, is the nearest international airport to Hubli. Hubli Junction Railway Station has well train connectivity with Goa, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolhapur, Manuguru, Bijapur, Belgaum, Mysore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhidham, Tirupati, Solapur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Ballari, Chennai, Tirunelveli, Pondicherry, Vijayawada, and Ernakulam. Hubbali has good road connectivity by buses from Mangalore, Bangalore, Panjim, Kolhapur, Ballari, Belgaum, Gokarna, Gadag, and Mysore.

The best time to visit Hubli is from October to February. The weather during these months is pleasant and ideal for exploring the city, and its surrounding places. Avoid traveling to Hubli during the heavy monsoon period as it experiences heavy rainfall. The summer months between March and May are quite hot and humid.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 0836
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Kannada & English
Major Festivals: Dharwad Festival, & Unkal Jatra Mahotsava
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Hubli

By Air

Nearest Airport: Hubli - Hubli Airport (8 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Hubli Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Hubli Bus Station (4 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Hubli

Backwaters

#1 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 6 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, Unkal Lake is a stunning lake situated at the Unkal locality of Hubli. It is one of the must include places in Hubli Tour Packages.

Unkal Lake is a beautiful picnic spot and a major source of drinking water for the twin cities of Hubli & Dharwad. About 110 years old, the lake covers an area of nearly 200 acres. This site is renowned as the 'Karma Bhoomi' of Shri Siddappajja, who was born in 1859. He eloped from his home at the age of 14 to find a Guru and resided in Unkal Mailarlings Temple. Shri Siddappajja died in 1921 and since then a 'Jatre' is organized at this site.

This picturesque water body is surrounded by a lush garden that mesmerizes travelers coming here in search of peace and serenity. This is among the most popular places to visit in Hubli. Most people visit this lake during evening .....

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Heritage | Pilgrimage

#2 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 5 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, Chandramouleshwara Temple is an ancient temple situated at the Unkal locality of Hubli. Located near Unkal Lake, it is one of the ancient temples in the district, and among the must-include places in Hubli Tour Packages.

The Chandramouleshwar Temple in Unkal is estimated to be 900-year-old built in the 11th-12th century during the Badami Chalukyan era. The Chandramouleshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has marvelous sculptures that attract any art lover. Due to its archeological importance, the temple is preserved and maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.

It was built on the lines of Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal temples. According to legend, the temple was built overnight by a group of anonymous artisans and sculptors. Since the temple was constructed in a night, and as the artisans couldn't finish the whole work in one night, the temple structure is incomplete. Unlike other temples, the .....

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Heritage | Pilgrimage

#3 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 9 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, Banashankari Temple is an ancient temple situated at Amargol near Hubli. It is one of the ancient temples in the district, and among the popular places to visit in Hubli. The temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Banashankari Temple in Amargol dates back to the 13th Century and was built by the Chalukyas. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Banashankari, a form of Goddess Parvathi. According to mythology, goddess Parvathi came to the earth to rescue the people from Durgamasura, a powerful demon and destroyed the wicked demon. She was given the name Vana Shankari, meaning Goddess of the forest, and eventually came to be known as Banashankari.

The Banashankari Temple in Amargol is a fine architectural marvel of the Chalukyan era. The Banashankari temple in Amargol is a Dvikuta -a two shrine temple. One shrine is dedicated to the goddess Banashankari while the other shrine is dedicated .....

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Park

#4 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 2 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, the Indira Gandhi Glass House Garden is a municipality maintained landscaped garden situated at the heart of Hubli city in Karnataka. It is one of the must-visit places in Hubli for nature lovers and peace seekers

Named after the late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, the Indira Gandhi Glass House Garden is a beautiful garden with lovely sculptures and lush green lawns. A walk within the garden is refreshing as you will enjoy the rustic setting, the lush green lawns, and the vibrant flowers. The finest attractions of this place include the toy train and the musical fountain show which can be seen on weekends and government holidays.

Located at the center of the gardens is the Indira Glass House, a unique palace made of glass. This Glass House shares a striking similarity to one that is located in Lal Bagh at Bangalore. The glasshouse is known to be featured with a lot of shrubs, flowers, and plants that are well-known .....

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Nature

#5 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 3 km from Chandramouleshwara Temple, and 5 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, Nrupatunga Hill is a small hillock situated at Unkal locality of Hubli. It is one of the popular places to visit in Hubli for nature lovers and peace seekers.

Nrupatunga Hill is a famous tourist place in Hubli and attracts numerous visitors on a huge scale. From the hilltop, one can get a bird's eye view of the cities of Hubli and Dharwad. Also, visitors can visit a Devi Temple and a dargah atop Nrupatunga Betta. Rejuvenate yourself by strolling at the top of the hill and enjoying the lush green surroundings.

This site is an ideal spot for people who want to spend time away from the hustle-bustle of the city area. Moreover, the atmosphere is filled with tranquility and offers a soothing effect on the visitors' minds. There is a small park for children developed by the Dharwad Development Authority. The park is equipped with rides like see-saws, merry-go-rounds, slides, swings, .....

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Pilgrimage

#6 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 4 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, Siddharoodha Math is a sacred place located at Srinivasa Nagar locality of Hubli. It is one of the popular places of Pilgrimage in Hubli, and among the must-visit places as part of Hubli Tour.

Siddharoodha Math is an important religious institution that preaches Advaita philosophy. This math was established by the followers of Sri Siddharoodha Swami who took his Samadhi in 1929. Born in the year 1836, Swami Sidharoodha is known to have been a famous spiritual leader who preached Advaitha Philosophy in the 18th century. The math has seen notable visitors like Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi.

The Siddharoodha Math is an excellent shrine that features a marble statue of Swami Sidharoodha. The environment of the math is extremely soothing and hence, the visitors are sure to get a positive feeling when they are here. This math is a center for spreading the teachings of Swami Siddharoodha that includes his .....

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Pilgrimage

#7 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 4 km from Banashankari Temple at Amargol, and 12 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, ISKCON Krishna Balarama Temple is a sacred Hindu temple located at Rayapur locality of Hubli. Situated on Hubballi - Dharwad Road, it is one of the prominent ISKCON temples in Karnataka, and among the popular places to visit in Hubli.

ISKCON Sri Krishna Balarama Temple in Hubli is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It was built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), based on the model of the ISKCON temple in Bangalore. Covering over an area of about 8 acres, the temple houses the deities of Sri Radha Krishna, Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Gaura Nitai, and Sri Srinivasa Govinda.

The rituals in the temple begin with Mangala Arati at 4.30 AM and close at 8 PM with Sandhya Arati. The temple provides mid-day meals to 80,000 school children in the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad. Krishna Janmashtami is an auspicious time when different poojas will be conducted .....

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Pilgrimage

#8 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 7 km from Dharwad Railway Station, 9 km from ISKCON Sri Krishna Balarama Temple, and 20 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, Nuggikeri Hanuman Temple is a sacred Hindu temple located at Nuggikeri village in Hubli. It is one of the prominent temples in the Dharwad district, and among the must-visit places during your Hubli Trip.

Nuggikeri Hanuman Temple is an ancient temple in Dharwad and is dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman, also known as Sri Balabhima. Located on the banks of Nuggikeri Lake, Sri Hanuman at Nuggikeri had been in worship for hundreds of years, and is among the best pilgrimage places to visit in Hubli. According to folklore, Lord appeared in the dream of His devotee and instructed him to bring out the idol from the lake for worship. Accordingly, the devotee searched the lake and brought the idol out, and started worshipping. .....

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Pilgrimage

#9 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 17 km from Hubli Junction Railway Station, Navagraha Teertha or Navagraha Tirtha is a Jain temple situated at Varur near Hubli, Karnataka. It is one of the major places of pilgrimage for the Jain community in India, and among the top places to visit in Hubli.

Adjacent to the Pune-Bangalore Road, the construction of Navagraha Teertha began in 2005 and was inaugurated in 2009 with mahamasthabhishekam. The work was supervised by Sri Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj, supported by Sri Dharmasena Bhattaraka Swamiji and hundreds of volunteers with donations from philanthropists. It has become an important place in Karnataka that draws huge crowds from all over the country.

Spread over 45 acres, the temple features a 61-foot tall monolithic idol of the Shri Parshvanatha in the Kayotsarga posture mounted on a 48 feet (15 m) pedestal making its total height 109 feet. The statue is the tallest statue of the Jain deity Parshvanatha in India and weighs 185 tons. The monolithic .....

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Pilgrimage

#10 of 19 Places to Visit in Hubli

At a distance of 24 km from Hubli, Gayatri Tapovan is a spiritual institute and a temple located at Ramankop village near Hubli, Karnataka. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Hubli, and among the must-visit places as part of the Hubli Tour.

Known for its spiritual and cultural events, Gayatri Tapovan was earlier known as 'Navakalyana' Matha and was established in 1965 by Sri Kumar Swamiji, a well-renowned preacher whose followers include people from different regions, and different communities. The disciples of Kumara Swamiji have continued to maintain the tradition after his death.

Within the premises, there is a Divine temple named the 'Gayatri Tapobhoomi'. It is a beautifully built temple with a more beautiful 'Gayatri Goddess' inside. It is said that the people who have strong will about their Sankalpa are blessed by the goddess Gayatri. The Gayatri Tapobhoomi is developed by the people with a determined soul and a lot of good deeds made by them in their .....

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