‘Can’t leave my heritage’

One of the well-maintained havelis in the area, this three-floor building, with a façade that extends to over 500 feet, is spread over half acre.

One of the well-maintained havelis in the area, this three-floor building, with a façade that extends to over 500 feet, is spread over half acre.

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It has 128 shops on the ground floor and more than 50 rooms for residential purpose. However, most of the rooms are locked for many months of the year.

“They are opened only when our relatives come for annual visit,” said Anil Pershad (60), a descendent of Lala Chhunnamal, after whom the haveli is named.

“You see I just cannot trust anybody for handling such a treasure. If we lose a big tree, we can have another big tree, in say 20-25 years. But once a heritage building is lost, it is lost for ever.”