Dharwad District

About:

Dharwad district is an important district in the southern state of India, Karnataka. It is strategically located in the northern part of Karnataka almost equidistant from the two industrial centres of India- Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka and Pune, a rapidly developing industrial city in Maharastra.

The etymological significance of the term "Dharwad" is a resting place. However the district's nomenclature is shrouded in conjectures and surmises. With a 900-year-old history, once a kingdom of the Chalukyas is the focal pint of North Karnataka's academic, economic and industrial development. Occupying an area of 13738 sq. km and lying to the east of the Western Ghats, the twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad are strategically located 420 km north and 550 km south of the urban metropolis of Bangalore and Mumbai, respectively.

The district headquarters is located at Dharwad. Dharwad means a resting place after a long travel and is an appropriate name as it acted as a gateway between the Malenaadu and the Bayalu plains and became a resting place for the travelers. The district has a temperate climate and is surrounded by numerous lakes, hills and other small water bodies. The major lakes are Kelgeri and Sadankeri.

In 1961, the town merged with the neighbourhood town Hubli to become a single municipality, Hubli- Dharwad. In 1997 two new districts Gadag and Haveri were created out of Dharwad`s administrative territory. A part of Dharwad district was coalesced with lands, which were earlier, the part of three other districts in order to make the new district of Davanagere.

Dharwad is known for its prestigious educational institutions. It houses the Karnataka University, which caters to graduate and research students. Karnataka College offers educational services to students just out of high school who aspire to make a career either in the arts or the sciences. S.D.M. Engineering college a more recent addition to the list of educational institutions offers education in Engineering. Hubli has an Engineering college( B.V.B College of Engineering and Technology), the Karnataka Medical College and other institutions.

Dharwad is perhaps best known for its "Pedhas", a sweet made out of milk, and is a must-buy for any tourist visiting the city.Today, Dharwad has grown beyond its borders, with industries dotting both its northern and southern boundaries. In years ahead, it promises to be a beehive of commercial activity. The location of the city on the NH4 makes it equidistant from 2 of the most industrialised centers in the country - Bangalore , the capital of Karnataka state and Pune the 2nd most industrialised city in Maharshtra.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

Historical records say that the Chalukyas ruled Dharwad in the 12th century and at that time it was an important city. Having a historical connection, the town has many temples and is an important religious center. Someshwara Temple, Murugha Math, Shankara Matha, Dattatreya Temple, Vanavasi Rama Mandira, Ulavi Basappana Temple, Laxmi-Narayana Temple, Tapovan, and Renuka Devi-Temple are some of the famous temples of the district.

The Chalukyas ruled Dharwad during the 12th century. A stone inscription indicates that there was a ruler by the name of BhaskaraDeva in 1117. In the 14th century, the district was first overrun by the Bahmani Sultanate, after which it was annexed to the newly established Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar, an official of which named Dhar Rao, according to local tradition, built the fort at Dharwad town in 1403. After the defeat of the king of Vijayanagar at Talikot (1565), Dharwad was for a few years practically independent under its Hindu governor; but in 1573 the fort was captured by the sultan of Bijapur, Adil Shah, and Dharwad was annexed to his dominions. Adil Shah built a fort in an area later called MannaKille, and later Nazratabad. With this fort, the strategic importance of Dharwad increased and it thus attracted the attention of subsequent conquerors, including Aurangzeb, Shivaji, Aurangzeb's son Mu Azam, Peshwa Balaji Rao, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and finally the British colonizers.

In 1685, the fort was taken by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and Dharwad, on the break-up of the Mughal empire, fell under the sway of the Maratha Peshwa of Pune. In 1764, the province was overrun by Hyder Ali of the Mysore, who in 1778 captured the fort of Dharwad. The fort was retaken in 1791 by the Marathas. After the final defeat of the Peshwa by the British in 1818, Dharwar was incorporated into the territory of the British East India Company's Bombay Presidency. During the early 19th century, when the British were expanding their domains, they faced a lot of opposition from local rulers, including Baba Saheb of Naragund and Kittur Rani Chennamma.

Educational Institutions:

• CSI KND BMHECs CSI College of Commerce, Dharwad
• Karnatak University
• Karnatak University Directorate of Distance Education
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
• Karnataka Institute Of Medical Sciences
• Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara
• Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya
• Mahaganapathy Ayurvedic Medical College
• Moulana Azad Homoeopathic Medical
• Lea Homoeopathic Medical College
• B. D. Jatti Homoeopathic Medical College
• Madeena Pre University College
• Sri SDM College of Dental Science and Hospital
• Sdm College Of Physiotherapy
• K. L. E. College Of Pharmacy
• BV Boomareddy College of Engineering
• Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Colleg
• R. N. Shetty College Of Hotel Management
• Anjuman T. T. I
• Anjuman Teacher Training Institute
• Basel Mission T T I
• Dist Institute Of Education & Training
• Govt T T I For Women
• Hamdard Asharfi Welfare T T I
• J. G. T T I
• Mahila Vidyapeeth T T I
• K L E Society S Jg T T I & Mgt
• Kle College Of Education
• Rajiv Gandhi B Ed College
• Vijayanagar College Of Education
• J S S Sakthi Law College
• K L E Society Gurusiddappa Kodhambari
• Women S Polytechnic
• Jss S Khk Instt Of Technology
• Rtes Rural Polytechnic
• Anjuman-e-islam Polytechnic
• Kles S Polytechnic
• Hsges Rural Polytechnic
• Nalanda Foundation S Polytechnic
• St John S Polytechnic
• Shri Gurumalleshwara Polytechnic
• Nttf Technical Training Centre
• S J M V Institute Iti
• Karnataka Huli Patila Iti
• Mahila Vidya Peeta Iti
• Prof K S Sharma Iti
• Karnataka Arts & Science College
• J S S College (formerly Ke Board S College)
• Kittle College
• Anjuman Arts, Science And Commerce Coll

• Vidyaranya Science And Commerce College
• Csi College Of Commerce
• Sanskrit Pathashala
• Agricultural College
• College Of Postgraduate Studies
• Rural Home Science College
• Karnataka Science College
• Jssb A & C Sk Gubbi Sc College
• Pc Jabin Sc College
• Jg College Of Commerce
• Channabasaveshwar Pu College
• Railway Comp Pu College
• Sk Arts & Hsk Science Inst
• Sjmvs A & C Womens College
• Basel Mission Pu College
• Rls Comp Pu College
• Sri Shankar A & C College
• Nehru Arts Sc Com College
• H. B. Comp Pu College,kundgol
• S. G. E. Rural Engineering College
• Kless J. G. College Of Commerce
• Ashrafee TTI
• R. N. Shetty College Of Hotel Management
• BVB College of Engineering & Technology
• Karnataka Homoeopathic Medical College
• S. E. T. College Of Pharmacy
• Kousali Institute Of Mangagement Studies
• Karnataka University College Of Edu
• Kumareshwara College Of Education
• Gurusiddappa Kotambri Law College
• Sges Rural Polytechnic
• Soniyas College Of Pharmacy
• J.S.S College of Arts, Commerce and S.Gubbi College of Science
  Vidyagiri - Dharwad
• Karnatak Science College
  Dharwad
• K. H. Kabbur Institute of Engineering
  Dharwar
• S.D.M. College of Engineering and Technology
  Dharwad

Law Colleges in Dharwad

• Hurakadli Ajja Law College, Dharwad
• KPES Law College, Dharwad

Homoeopathic Medical Colleges in Dharwad

• Dr BD Jatti Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Dharwad

Langauge

Culture:

The Dharwad region has contributed to some of the greatest exponents of Hindustani music including Sawai Gandharva, Mallikarjun Mansur, Bhimsen Joshi (now living in Pune), Basavaraj Rajaguru, Kumar Gandharva and Gangubai Hangal.

Dharwad is an unlikely outpost of the Kirana Gharana. Ustad Abdul Karim Khan was a frequent visitor to Mysore Darbar, where he had been conferred the title of Sangeet Ratna. On the way to Mysore, he used to stay with his brother in Dharwad, where he taught his most famous disciple, Sawai Gandharva. Sawai Gandharva in turn was the guru to Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi and Basavaraj Rajaguru.

How to reach?

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

Trains and Railway Stations

• Alnavar Junction Railway Station
• Hubli Junction Railway Station
• Navalur Railway Station
• Amargol Railway Station
• Kambarganvi Railway Station
• Saunshi Railway Station
• Annigeri Railway Station
• Kundgol Railway Station
• Sisvinhalli Railway Station
• Dharwar Railway Station
• Kusugali Railway Station
• Unkal Railway Station
• Gudgeri Railway Station
• Kyarkop Railway Station
• Hebsur Railway Station
• Mugad Railway Station

Road Transport:There are many private bus operators who render travel services between Hubli and Bengalore, Mangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Goa and Hyderabad.

Bus Stations

• Dharwad Bus Station
• Hubli Bus Station
• Morab Bus Station
• Hebsur Bus Station
• Kalghatgi Bus Station

Tourist Attraction

• Dharwad:Amminbhavi is about 6 km from Dharwad, It is famous for 24 Tirthankara Basadi, Hire Matha and cave temple. Hire Matha has the paintings on an wooden plank those are transferred from Kittur
• Chandramouleshwara Temple at Unkal is famous for Historical Western Chalukya period Chandramouleshwara Shiva temple and Unkal lake. Chandramouleshwara Temple is one of the beautiful temples in Dharwad district.
• 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.
  Unkal Lake
• 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 hairs from the Prophet's beard. Women are not allowed inside.
• Nrupatunga Hill is a hillock located on the North-Eastern fringe of Hubli. The top of the hillock offers a pleasing panoramic view of Hubli city. The span of the panoramic view extends from Amargol in the North, to the Airport in the West all the way to the Southern parts of Hubli. It is a popular location for morning-walkers
• Bannikoppa Jain Temple was constructed in the 1940's under the guidance of Sri Payanagara Maharaj. The temple was renovated and the pancha kalyana mahotsav was held in 1976. The temple's sanctum sanctorum has a 2 feet tall idol of Bhagwan Sri Parshwanatha which is the main god.
• Kartikeya Temple is a famous temple of Lord Muruga which is located on a hill near Sondur, which is about 10 km from Hubli. The temple houses the famous Heramb Ganesh temple also in its premises.Built in 12th century by Chalukyas, Someshwara Temple is one of the notable landmarks in Dharwad. It houses statues of Mahishasuramardini and Chaturbhuja Ganesh.
• Kundgol is about 15 km from Hubli-Dharwad. It is famous for Shambhulinga temple. The great place in history of Hindustani Music in Karnataka. It is like University of Hindustani Music. Birth place of Sawai Gandharva. Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Gangubai Hangal learnt Hindustani music here and Sawai Gandharva was there guru.
• Shambhulinga temple at Kundgol, North Karnataka
• Kalghatgi:Tamboor about 8 km from Kalghatgi. It is famous for Basavanna temple and Devikoppa Forest.
• Hanagal is on the left bank of the Dharma River. It is famous for its Tarakeshwara temple with a wonderful sequence of figures and polished tall Chalukyan pillars. The other places of worship are Virabhadra, Billeshwara, Ramalinga and Veerashaiva Kumaraswamy Matha.
• Varur is a Jain pilgrimage center located on the National Highway 4 in Dharwad District of Karnataka. It is about 14 km from Hubli
• Shri Basaveshwar Temple is located in Bhogenagarakoppa at a distance of approximately 14 km from Kalghatagi.
• Mahalakshmi temple
• Dharwad Fort was built by Bijapur’s Adil Shah after the fall of Vijayanagar Empire in AD 1453. Fort area was called Mannakile and later Nazratabad. It played a significant role in the history of Dharwad.

PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST IN THE TOWN OF DHARWAD

• The Karnataka University situated in Pavate Nagar.
• University of Agricultural Science
• The Two Main entraces into the Fort
• The temple of Someshvar at Someshvar (Which is also the source of the river Shaalmalaa)
• The temple of Dattaatreya Swamy
• The temple of Goddess Durga
• The temple of Hanuman at Nuggikeri
• The Kelgeri Tank
• The Mutt of Murugharaajendra Swaamy.
• The All saints Church
• The Vidyavardhaka Sangha
• The Temple of Loard Uluvi Channabasaveshwara
• The Dhummavaada Tank (also known as Nirsaagar)
• The Tatvaanveshana Mandira
• The temple of Goddess Banashankari at Amargol.
• Bendre Bhavan
• The Mallikarjun Mansur Trust Building

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE TOWN OF HUBLI

• The Nriputunga Hill
• The Unakal Tank
• The Chandramouleeshvara Temple at Unakal
• The Siddhaaruudha Mutt
• The temple of goddess Tuljaa bghavani
• The Railway workshop
• The Muuru Savira Mutt
• The Satya Saayi Baabaa Temple at Unakal
• Sayyad Fate-Shaa vali Darga

OTHER PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST IN THE DISTRICT

• The temple of Shri Basavanna at Tamboor of Kalaghatagi Taluk (45 Kms)
• Kundagol Sri.Shambhulingeshwara Temple (40 Kms)
• The Samaadhi of Saato Shahid at Karur about 15 Kms from Kalaghatagi
• Amminabhaavi (10 Kms) famous for the Paarshvanaath Basti
• The town of Kalaghatagi-known for the Shaantinaath basti and the Colourful Cradle. (35 Kms)
• The monolithic statue of Doddapppa at Adargunchi (30 kms)
• The Amriteshwara Temple at Annigeri in the Navalgund Taluk ( 55 Kms)
• The village of Garag-known for its temple of Shri Madivaaleshvara, and the Centre if Village Industries where the national flags are designed. (12 Kms)

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• The Hans Hotel(Phone: +91-836-2374770)
• Jagadeesh Da Dhaba
• Hotel Kunal
• Hotel Ayodhya(Phone:+91-836-2351951)
• Hotel Kailash(Phone: 91-836-2352235)
• Hotel Naveen(Phone: +91-836-2372283)
• Hotel Vipra
• The Ashoka Towers Hotel(Phone: +91-836-2362271)

Links

Dharwad District Major Attraction