AI Generated Summary
- For many families in India, especially through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, summer vacations meant more than just a school break—it was a time to return to roots, to grandparents’ homes that stood as symbols of love, tradition, and belonging.
- The memories, woven with the aroma of fresh sweets, the rhythmic hum of trains, and the comforting presence of grandparents, remain timeless treasures in the hearts of those who experienced them.
- At the heart of this tradition were the sprawling havelis that housed generations.
For many families in India, especially through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, summer vacations meant more than just a school break—it was a time to return to roots, to grandparents’ homes that stood as symbols of love, tradition, and belonging. Among such cherished destinations was the vibrant town of Hoshiarpur, known for its spiritual legacy and academic excellence.
The journey to these ancestral homes was itself an adventure. Families would travel by narrow-gauge train to Kalka, followed by a night-long steam locomotive ride, their faces kissed by soot but glowing with excitement. Early mornings would see them arriving in Bahadarpur, transported by rickshaws or tongas past local landmarks like Swarn Talkies and the iconic Ghantaghar.
At the heart of this tradition were the sprawling havelis that housed generations. Grandparents’ homes, with their many rooms and echoing courtyards, were hubs of affection and storytelling. Children would gather around grandmothers for bedtime tales, while grandfathers proudly displayed prized possessions—such as gramophones that played crackling melodies from a bygone era. Some homes, like those in Hoshiarpur, even boasted architectural marvels: wells ingeniously designed to channel water through hidden walls to kitchens and bathrooms.
The local marketplace added to the charm of these visits. Artisans crafted delicate bronze artefacts, while sweet shops like the famous Madan Halwai’s hatti offered irresistible peda and creamy rabri. No vacation was complete without homemade delights—grandmothers’ alsi laddoos and pinnis that carried the unmistakable taste of love and tradition.
These summer sojourns were more than just holidays—they were rituals that connected generations. The memories, woven with the aroma of fresh sweets, the rhythmic hum of trains, and the comforting presence of grandparents, remain timeless treasures in the hearts of those who experienced them.
