Aashirwaad: Inside the dream home of tech entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his family

**From a One-Bedroom Apartment to a 35,000-Square-Foot Dream: Inside Indian American Entrepreneur Anil Sharma’s Extraordinary Estate, Aashirwaad**

Less than a mile from the Potomac River, hidden among five wooded acres in Great Falls, Virginia, stands a home that resembles a European palace. Known as **Aashirwaad**, meaning “blessing” in Hindi, the spectacular 35,000-square-foot estate belongs to Indian American entrepreneur **Anil Sharma**, founder and CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, and his wife **Anu Sharma**. While its soaring ceilings, handcrafted interiors, grand staircases, and luxurious amenities immediately capture attention, the true story behind the mansion is one of perseverance, family, faith, and gratitude.

The estate is the centerpiece of the latest episode of **The Grand Mansions**, a documentary series by The American Bazaar that explores some of the most remarkable homes owned by Indian Americans. Rather than simply showcasing luxury, the documentary reveals the deeply personal journey that transformed an immigrant family's dream into reality.

The Sharmas originally named the residence **Château De Rêve**, meaning "Castle of Dreams" in French. However, during the housewarming ceremony, a Hindu priest asked what the home would be called. After reflecting on the incredible journey that brought them there, the family chose the name **Aashirwaad**, believing their success represented blessings rather than simply achieving a dream.

Their journey began years before construction started. Anu Sharma had envisioned building a dream home that would provide privacy, open spaces, and enough room for family gatherings and community events. Finding the perfect five-acre property took more than a year, but securing the land was only the beginning. The family interviewed nearly fifteen builders before selecting Mike and Mandy Mafi of The Building Group, believing they best understood their vision for a home that blended timeless European elegance with Indian heritage.

Construction lasted approximately two years, but the planning process stretched much longer. What initially began as plans for an 18,000-square-foot residence gradually expanded into a magnificent estate covering more than 33,000 square feet of indoor living space, eventually reaching nearly 35,000 square feet including additional structures. Every detail—from the architecture to the chandeliers and decorative finishes—was custom designed.

Symmetry became one of the defining architectural themes throughout the residence. Gold-leaf detailing, handcrafted ceilings, Murano glass chandeliers, marble flooring, and elegant French-inspired interiors create an atmosphere of luxury rarely seen even among the region's finest homes. According to the builders, the family's clear vision allowed them to create one of the most artistically ambitious residences they had ever constructed.

Yet Aashirwaad is far more than an architectural masterpiece. The home's emotional center is its magnificent marble temple, or **mandir**, handcrafted in Jaipur, India. The Sharma family personally traveled twice to Rajasthan to oversee every stage of its creation—from selecting the marble to supervising the intricate carvings. For them, the temple represents the heart of the home, reminding every visitor that faith remains central to their lives.

Indian cultural influences appear throughout the estate. A custom Ganesh design welcomes guests at the entrance, while peacock-inspired artwork reflects Anu Sharma's Rajasthani heritage. These elements blend seamlessly with classical European architecture, creating a home that honors both cultures.

Among the mansion's most talked-about features is its private bowling alley—an unusual addition inspired by Anil Sharma during the design process. Builders widened the basement specifically to accommodate the lane, which has since become one of the property's signature attractions. The lower level also includes a luxury movie theater, golf simulator, fitness center, sauna, steam room, entertainment lounges, and expansive recreation spaces designed for family and friends.

The home was built not simply to impress, but to bring people together. A spacious open-concept kitchen serves as the family's gathering place, while the enormous backyard includes elegant gazebos, a pool house, landscaped gardens, and outdoor entertaining spaces capable of hosting hundreds of guests. The family has even welcomed gatherings of more than 600 people on the property.

For the Sharma children, Aashirwaad represents much more than luxury. They remember growing up in a modest home before the family's success. Anil Sharma himself reflects on arriving in the United States from India and living in a one-bedroom apartment, noting that some rooms in Aashirwaad are now larger than the family's entire first home in America. Those memories continue to shape the family's appreciation for what they have achieved.

The estate has received widespread recognition, earning multiple awards for architecture, craftsmanship, and residential design in the Washington metropolitan region. Despite the accolades, the Sharmas remain grounded, emphasizing that the mansion symbolizes blessings earned through decades of hard work rather than material success alone.

Their story resonates with many immigrant families who arrive in America with little more than ambition and determination. From humble beginnings to building one of the most celebrated private residences in the Washington area, the journey behind Aashirwaad reflects perseverance, resilience, and unwavering belief in the power of dreams supported by faith and family.

More than a luxurious mansion, Aashirwaad stands as a testament to the American dream viewed through the lens of an Indian American family—a place where architecture meets heritage, success meets gratitude, and every room tells the story of a remarkable journey that began thousands of miles away in India and culminated in one of the region's most extraordinary homes.