Hebballi

The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad are unified by single Municipal Corporation. Hubli-Dharwad is the second biggest urban area of Karnataka after Bangalore. The name Hubballi literally means "flower creeper" in Kannada. Dharwad is a charming quaint town spread across seven little hills. Hubli is commercial hub. Hubli is also a noted industrial town. This historic town was known as Raya Hubli and also as Elaya Puravada Halli during the ancient times. This city metamorphosed into an important commercial centre for trade in cotton and iron during the reign of the Vijaynagara empire. The city is noted for its handloom textile units and has many cotton ginning and processing mills. Cotton and groundnuts (peanuts for the Americans) are grown aplenty in the surrounding rural areas, and Hubli serves as a major trading centre for both commodities. It is also an important city for the Indian Railways, being the headquarters for South Western Railway Zone and the Hubli Division.