Dharwad District, Karnataka

Location: Dharwad is located is located little above the center of Karnataka. It shares boundary with Uttara kannada district in the west, Haveri district in the south, Belgaum district in the north and Gadag district in the east.

District Headquarter: Hubli – Dharwad after the merger of Hubli and Dharwad as one municipality.

Distance: Around 425 km from Bangalore, 550 km from Mumbai, 80 km from Belgaum, 160 km from Goa

Journey time: Around 10 hrs by bus and 10.5 – 11 hrs by train.

How to reach there: By KSRTC bus from Majestic bus stand, Bangalore, Myosre etc, by train from Bangalore, private buses, private vehicle or by flight to Hubli (airport 18 km from Dharwad city).

Route: Bangalore-Tumkur-Davanagere-Hubli-Dharwad

Where to stay:

1. Travel Inn
Pune-Bangalore Road,
Sattur, Dharwad – 580 002
Tel: 08362-464848
Fax: 08362-464849

2. Hotel Dharwar
Pune-Bangalore Road, Dharwad – 580 001
Tel: 08362-447725, 447727, 443349

3. Hotel Vaishali
Vijaya Road,
Dharwad – 580 001
Tel: 08362-226805
Fax: 08362- 445755
Email: shali_dwd@satyam.net.in

4. Hotel Karishma
Near Hubli Toll Naka,
Pune-Bangalore Road,
Dharwad – 580 004
Tel: 08362-436441 – 43

5. Hotel Hoysala
Opposite Kittel College,
Pune-Bangalore Road,
Dharwad – 580 001
Tel: 08362-445627 – 29

6. Central Park
Shankar Plaza,
Pune-Bangalore Road,
Dharwad – 580 001
Tel: 08362-440797, 448389

7. Central Park
Shankar Plaza,
Pune-Bangalore Road,
Dharwad – 580 001
Tel: 08362-440797, 448389

8. Hotel Nataraja
Near Sangam Talkies,
Sangam Circle, Dharwad – 580 008
Tel: 08362-442855

Where to eat:

1. Prakash Restaurant & Sweets
Near Women’s college

2. Food Court
Near ICICI Prudential Life office

3. Vijaya Hotel‎

4. Mayur cafe

5. Hotel Brindavan
Near railway station

Language spoken: Kannada, Hindi, Urdu, English in urban areas

Dharwad is well known for its educational institutions. To name a few Dharwad has University College of Law, Karnatak University, University College of Agricultural Sciences, Dakshina Bharata Hindi Prachar Sabhathe (deemed university) and lots of other private institutions.
The word Dharwad has been derived from two Sanskrit word dwara’ meaning “door” and ‘wata’ or ‘wada’ meaning “town. A few inscriptions found suggests that Dharwad is around 1000 years old. Dharwad has been ruled by various rulers from Chalukyas, Bhamani Sultante, Vijaynagar empire, Adil Shah (sultan of Bijapur), Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Marathas, Hyder Ali/Tipu Sultan and by later by the British.

Dharwad has produced a host of genius. Music stalwarts like Sawai Gandharva, Mallikarjun Mansur, Bhimsen Joshi (now living in Pune), Basavaraj Rajaguru, Kumar Gandharva and Gangubai Hangal. Jnanpith Award winners D.R. Bendre, V. K. Gokak and Girish Karnad were originally from Dharwad. Bollywood actress and wife of Singer late Kishore Kumar, Leena Chandavarkar is also believed to be from Dharwad. As well as Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys spent his school days here.

It is famous for the Dharwad pedhas. Try pedhas from Mishra’s Line Bazar and Babu Singh’s Thakur pedhas.

What to see:

Places to see in Dharwad

1. The Karnataka University situated in Pavate Nagar

2. University of Agricultural Science

3. The Two Main entrances into the Fort

4. Someshwara temple: Located near SDM college, Someshwara temple is the oldest temple in the town and is built by the Chalukyas in 12th century. This place is also the origin of the river Shaalmala.

5. Dattatreya temple: Dattatreya temple is located at Gandhi Chawk.

6. The temple of Hanuman at Nuggikeri

7. The Kelgeri Tank

8.  All saints Church

9.  Vidyavardhaka Sangha

10. Dhummavaada Tank (also known as Nirsaagar)

11. The Tatvaanveshana Mandira

12. Banashankari temple at Amargol.

14. Bendre Bhavan

15.  Mallikarjun Mansur Trust Building

Other temples in Dharwad

16. Murugha mutt located on Savadatti Road

17. Shankara Mutt located near JSS college off of NH4

18. Vittal Mandir: Built by the Maratha rulers in 1796.

19. Ulavi Basappana temple

20. Milaralinga temple: Located behind JSS college, it is a very old temple – believed to be built in 12 century in Chalukyan style.

21. Durgadevi Temple: Located near corporation building, is very popular among students.

22. Laxmi-Narayana Temple: It is located almost at the middle of the town at Javali Peth.

23. Tapovan: It is located near the university. It is kind of an ashram.

Places to see in Hubli

1.The Nriputunga Hill

View from Nriputunga hill

2.The Unakal Lake:

3.The Chandramouleeshvara Temple at Unakal

3.The Siddhaaruudha Mutt

4.The temple of goddess Tuljaa bghavani

5.The Railway workshop

6. Muuru Savira Mutt

7. Satya Saayi Baabaa Temple, Unakal

8.Sayyad Fate-Shaa vali Darga

Around Dharwad:

1. Garag: Garag located around 12 km from Dharwad town is famous for Shri Madivaaleshvara temple.

2. Amminabhaavi located around 10 km from Dharwad town is famous for the Paarshvanaath Basti

3. The town of Kalaghatagi-known for the Shaantinaath basti and the Colourful Cradle. (35 Kms)

4. The temple of Shri Basavanna at Tamboor of Kalaghatagi Taluk (45 Kms

5. Kundagol Sri.Shambhulingeshwara Temple (40 Kms

6. The Samaadhi of Saato Shahid at Karur about 15 Kms from Kalaghatagi

7. The monolithic statue of Doddapppa at Adargunchi (30 kms)

8. Annigeri: Annigeri is famous for the Amriteshwara Temple. Located in Navalgund Taluk it is around 35 km from Hubli-Dharwad and 20 km from Gadag towards Hubli.

Great Kannada poet Pampa was born here.