Latur, a small town in Maharashtra, is known for its many educational institutions, mouth-watering Maharashtrian food, and extreme weather! In the news recently for the deadly drought that almost brought the city to a halt, Latur is also home to this beautiful old house, that is an oasis to its residents.
Chandrakant Devdas Hatte is the owner of this almost 100-year old Maharashtrian home. The traditional architecture and woodwork has largely remained unchanged and protected from any kind of modernisation
The weather in Latur can be unforgiving sometimes, especially in the summer. When it gets a bit overwhelming, Chandrakant’s home is a perfect refuge, not just for his family, but also for the neighbours in this small part of town. The veranda is beautifully decorated with plants like Tulsi, Krishna Kamal, Madhumalti and many more. It is believed that these help keep the atmosphere pure and healthy. The veranda is also the place where Chandrakant’s family
Chandrakant Hatte, the head of the family, has grown up in this house. He now stays here with his wife and two sons, and is in the business of manufacturing rubber stamps. Not much has been done to change the original architecture or interior of the house, which is now more than a 100 years old!
The entrance to Chandrakant’s home gives it a feeling of grandeur. A large house like this in an area that is almost rural, is usually treated as a meeting point for the neighbours; to catch their favourite shows together and have a cup of chai in the evenings.
In this sleepy little town, the home is a haven for weary minds and bodies!
‘Houses of India’ is our weekly photo-story project, where we discover one home, and its story. Follow us on Instagram @housingindia, and join us on this beautiful journey across the country.
