Long before the towering Antilia became a symbol of luxury in Mumbai, and before Mukesh Ambani became a household name for his unimaginable wealth, there was a small seaside village called Chorwad in Gujarat. This quiet town in Junagadh district is where the story of the Ambani family truly began which was far from glass elevators, helipads, or snow rooms. In this peaceful village stands a house, which is over 100-years-old, that holds memories, dreams, and the modest beginnings of India’s richest family. It’s not just a building, but a part of history and surprisingly, you can step into this piece of the Ambani legacy by paying just Rs. 2.
Mangarolvalano Delo
Hidden in the narrow lanes of Chorwad is Mangarolvalano Delo, the ancestral home of the Ambanis. Spread across 1.2 acres, this two-floor house still carries the charm of old Gujarat. It has everything one would expect in a traditional home i.e. an open courtyards, long verandas, a lush garden in the center, and finely carved wooden windows.
This home once belonged to Hirachand Gordhanbhai Ambani, father of the legendary Dhirubhai Ambani, who later went on to change the face of Indian business.
Dhirubhai left this home at just 16 years old and went to Yemen seeking business opportunities. His journey marked the beginning of one of India’s most powerful business empires.
Beyond price tag
The home in Chorwad is estimated to be worth Rs. 100 crore today. Though this house doesn’t boast the flashiness of skyscrapers or robotic parking garages, its value isn’t in showy luxury but what it represents: legacy, roots, and a journey that changed the face of Indian business.
Interestingly, the Ambanis purchased the property in 2002, just after the passing of Dhirubhai Ambani. Prior to that, parts of the house had been rented by the family since the early 1900s.
The Dhirubhai Ambani Memorial House
In 2011, the house underwent a major transformation. No longer just a family home, it became a memorial. Now known as the Dhirubhai Ambani Memorial House, it stands as a tribute to the man who went from humble beginnings to creating one of India’s biggest business empires.
The estate is divided into two areas:
- One remains private, still visited by Kokilaben Ambani, Dhirubhai’s widow.
- The other is open to the public, a museum where visitors can walk through rooms filled with old photographs, awards, handwritten notes, and personal items that tell the story of Dhirubhai’s life.
The renovation was handled by Amitabh Teaotia Designs, a well-known firm that carefully blended modern utilities like solar lighting and eco-friendly water systems with the home’s original charm. Classic teak wood beams, antique furniture, and vintage decor are still intact.
Want to visit? It’ll cost you just Rs. 2
Yes, just Rs. 2 is all it takes to step inside a space filled with ambition, struggle, and extraordinary success. The home is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm, and closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Inside, visitors can pick up books on Dhirubhai’s journey, and buy souvenirs from a small on-site store.