Billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s official postal address: Antilla, Altamount Road, Mumbai. Sections of the media had speculated recently on why Ambani hadn’t shifted to his new home, and even conjectured that he may never move in because it did not satisfy Vastu requirements.
But the businessman had actually moved to Antilla nearly two months ago after addressing the Vastu dosh through a series of rituals and pujas.
One of the reasons for misleading reports circulating in the media was that the shift was a low key affair for Ambani, with the house warming already done in November 2010. And Mukesh was conscious about not appearing to be showing off, and attract media glare on the controversial structure.
DNA had first reported on May 1, 2011, that even though the building was ready for habitation, Ambani wasn’t moving in because of Vastu dosh. Ambani’s family had preferred to stay on in their old residence at the 14-storey Sea Wind in Colaba. Mukesh’s wife Nita is a staunch believer in rituals, and did not wish to take any risk that might put the Ambanis in trouble.
However, in June this year, almost 50 renowned pandits were invited to conduct pujas and address the Vastu dosh in the newly constructed building.
Sources close to Ambani revealed that the mega ritual went on for almost ten days under the guidance of their family priest, Pandit Ramesh Ojha.
“Now, Mukesh, Nita and their younger son are staying together in Antilla. There is a separate floor for Mukesh’s mother, Kokilaben Ambani, but she has chosen to stay back in Sea Wind. However, she does come here occasionally,” said a close family friend, adding that a few pandits continued to visit the Ganesh temple in Antilla to conduct prayers. “It will help to maintain the right spiritual atmosphere and ward off evil spirits.”
Ambani has employed nearly 200 attendants in his mansion to look after his family and the occasional guests. While Mukesh is known to be a foodie, Nita is diet-conscious. So they have employed four chefs — two to prepare the food, while the other two’s responsibility is to decide and manage the menu and ingredients for a healthy diet. Sources estimate the monthly running costs of Antilla at Rs2.5 crore.
