All about the massive 100-year-old mansion that was Mukesh Ambani's childhood home

1.The marvelous ancestral home of the Ambanis

Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in India and the chairman of Reliance Industries, is known for his lavish lifestyle and his 27-story residence, Antilia in Mumbai. However, not many people are aware of his ancestral home in Gujarat, which is a 100-year old mansion that has a rich history and cultural significance.

02/ Location and architecture

The mansion, originally known as 'Mangarolvalano Delo', is located in the village of Chorwad in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

It is built on a 1.2-acre plot of land, which is currently valued at Rs 100 crore, and is surrounded by a magnificent garden that has a variety of flowers and trees.

The mansion is a two-story building that is built in the traditional Gujarati style with a central courtyard, several rooms, and a veranda.

03/ History and ownership of this historical estate

The mansion was originally owned by a local landlord, who rented a modest portion of it to Mukesh Ambani's grandfather, Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani, in the early 20th century.

Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani was a school teacher who later became a trader and a businessman. He lived in the mansion with his wife, Jamnaben, and their six children, including Dhirubhai Ambani, who was born in 1932. Dhirubhai Ambani grew up in the mansion and spent his childhood days playing, studying, and dreaming in the courtyard. He left the mansion at the age of 16 to work in Aden (present-day Yemen).

04/ How it was eventually turned into a memorial-cum-museum

After Dhirubhai Ambani passed away in 2002, his family decided to buy the property in its entirety and convert the mansion into a memorial and a museum in his honour. The mansion was named 'The Dhirubhai Ambani Memorial House' and was inaugurated in 2011 by his wife, Kokilaben Ambani, and his sons, Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani. The mansion is divided into two sections, with one being private and the other open to the public, each with its own separate entry and exit point. The public section showcases the life and achievements of Dhirubhai Ambani through photographs, documents, awards, and personal belongings.

05/ Who restored the mansion?

The design and restoration of the mansion was done by Amitabh Teaotia Designs, a leading interior design firm, and Abhikram, a well-known architectural firm. The firms aimed to preserve the original character and charm of the mansion, while also adding modern amenities and comforts.

06/ Entry and visit

The mansion is open to the public from 9 am to 6 pm, except on Mondays and public holidays. The entry fee for the mansion is Rs 2 per person, and the visitors can also avail a guided tour for Rs 10 per person. The visitors can also buy souvenirs and books from the souvenir shop in the mansion. The mansion attracts many visitors, especially from the nearby towns and villages, who come to pay their respects and learn more about Dhirubhai Ambani and his legacy. The mansion is also a popular destination for school and college students, who come to get inspired and motivated by the rags-to-riches story of Dhirubhai Ambani.

Ref: All about the massive 100-year-old mansion that was Mukesh Ambani's childhood home (timesofindia)

Photo Credit: Image: dhirubhaiambanimemorialchorwad.com