Hubbali -

Discovering Hubli thanks to Hampi

Who would not like visiting the Historic Site of Hampi whenever the opportunity presented itself. The Republic Day weekend this year saw me headed to Hampi for the Go Heritage Run designed to take me through various monuments enroute. I also ended up Hubli to my itinerary which I had not been to, the next day.

Spread over a landscape of over 29 square kilometres, Hampi would easily qualify to be the world’s Largest Open Air Museum. Where else would one get to see over 1600 surviving structures featuring Royal and Sacred complexes, temples where worshipping still takes place, pillared halls, forts, memorials, water structures and so much more.

Took the Vande Bharat from Chennai to Bangalore on Friday, the 24^th evening and then hopped onto the Hampi express which started from the adjacent platform of Bangalore station, all within a gap of 20 minutes.

The stay was booked at Hotel Malligi at Hospet since they were associated with the Heritage Run and had worked out good rates for the runners.

Had planned to run the 12K leg in the Heritage Run so that the legs do not get too tired and I could spend some time, indulging in a bit of sightseeing too. Saturday was spent re-visiting a few of the places which I wanted to see again and also indulge in a bit of shopping.

Since most of Hampi was earlier covered during my visit in October 2023, decided to spend time at the Tungabhadra Dam on the Sunday afternoon post the run. The stay was booked at Hotel Malligi who were one among the organizers of the event.

The run was scheduled at 6.15 AM on Sunday the 25^th January and I had requested the Auto guy who had taken me around in 2023 to pick me from the Hotel by around 5.30 AM.

I was all ready and at the reception by around 5.30 AM and there were no signs of him, nor was he answering my calls. It kind of became a desperate situation with no autos around the hotel and just when I was about to call it off, help came in from the Directors of the Hotel.

Since they were also headed for the event by virtue of being part of the organizing committee, they sensed my discomfort and immediately walked up to me and offered me a lift to the venue in their car.

It was so very nice of them to bail me out. Could not have thanked them enough. The run finally got flagged off at around 6.20 AM post all the introductions and the Zumba dance and we set forth for the run.

A very well organized event, though not timed but it was a different experience running in front of the very same monuments like the Krishna Temple, the Ugra Narasimhar Temple, Bhima’s Gate and the Chennakeshvara temples, I had visited earlier.

Finished my run in exactly 90 minutes and having skipped the breakfast at the venue, went ahead to the Hampi Bazaar for some shopping before heading back for the hotel by around 9 A.M. Picked up an auto which from the vicinity of the Virupaksha Temple where the markets were located.

Street Shopping in Hampi

Freshened up and after a hearty breakfast at Hotel Malligi, decided to crash for sometime since there was nothing planned except for lunch and the visit to Tungabhadra Dam at around 3.30 in the evening.

The next day being Republic day and a Holiday, thought I might as well plan a visit to Hubli and then return back via Bangalore to Chennai.

The Munirabad View Point

Hired a cab for Rs.600/- to take me to the Tungabhadra dam with the Munirabad View Point thrown in free. The cabbie first took me to View point where the Tungabhadra river could be seen in full flow. Nothing much otherwise to explore except for a rocky beach and after spending around half an hour, headed for the Tungabhadra Dam.

The Tungabhadra Dam

Also known as Pampa Sagar, this dam is a water reservoir constructed across the Tungabhadra river in Hospet. Opened in the year 1953, this multi-purpose dam serves the purpose of electricity generation, irrigation, flood control for the state of Karnataka.

Built at a height of around 50 metres from the deepest foundation, this dam has been constructed using a combo of mud and limestone and has 2 levels.

There is a bus which ferries tourists for a round trip from the entrance of the dam for Rs.20/- per head. Lovely views of the dam and the waters can be seen from both the levels.

A PWD guest is there at the upper level while at the entrance to the Dam, there is a theme park and a play area for children.

I was back at Hotel Malligi by around 7 in the evening and post dinner and some bit of reading, slept early since I had an early morning train to catch to Hubli the next day morning from Hospet station.

Caught the Haripriya Express which came in from Tirupati sharp at 5.30 AM. We reached Hubli by around 8.10 in the morning, deposited my luggage in the cloak room and grabbed a quick bite at the station itself.

I had just about half a day available at my disposal as I was scheduled to catch the Vande Bharat from Hubli to Bangalore by around 2 in the afternoon for my onward journey back to Chennai.

A little bit about Hubli

Officially known as Hubbali (meaning Flowering Creeper), Hubli is the 2^nd largest city in Karnataka and serves as a major Commercial Hub. Colloquially known as Chhota Mumbai or small Mumbai, this town serves as a centre for trade specifically for Cotton and Groundnuts.

This city has a twin city in Dharwad located 20 kms away. Hired the services of an Auto for Rs.500/- for taking me around the city of Hubli.

The Chandramouleshwara Temple

We started off with the Chandramouleshwara Temple where Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. Built in the Badami Chalukyan era, this 900 years old temple is completely crafted in black granite.

Compared to other Shiva temples, this temple has two Shiva Lingas and 4 doors opening in 4 different directions. Preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India, this temple stands out for its exquisite architecture.

The temple originally had a 4 faced Linga (Chaturmukha) in the centre of the temple and lot of pillared halls but the surviving structures are much more smaller. The temple classically preserves the artwork of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Vedic deities together. Lot of wedding pre-shoots looked to be happening on the day I was there.

The Tolankere Lake

Having spent around an hour at the temple, moved on next to the Tolankere Lake, located around 4 kms away. There is an entry fee of Rs.20/- to enter the lake complex. The park features lots of green spaces and a well maintained walking path around the lake. Spent around 45 minutes going the entire lake area.

The Siddharoodha Math

Around 11.30 AM, headed for the Sidharoodha Math, a famous religious institution. Its believed that Shri Sidharoodha Swamy who was against the caste system and believed that everyone was equal.

The Math remains open from morning 6 AM to evening 6 PM and lots of people gather here to meditate and spend some peaceful time. Swamiji was entombed in this Ashram in 1929.

Reached the Hubli station by around 12.30. Picked up some of the famed Dharwad Pedas which were available at the station itself.at everyone was equal.

The train reached Bangalore by around 19.45 hours and after dinner at A2B within the station complex, whiled away time reading a book till I took the late night train back to Chennai.