Aashirwaad, a stunning estate in Great Falls, Virginia, reflects the journey of tech entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his family, blending luxury with deep personal significance.
Nestled on five wooded acres in Great Falls, Virginia, less than a mile from the Potomac River and a 30-minute drive from Washington, D.C., Aashirwaad is a remarkable estate that embodies family, faith, and achievement. This 35,000-square-foot home, owned by Indian American entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife, Anu, is a blend of grand architecture, luxurious amenities, and a deeply personal narrative of ambition and gratitude.
The estate, originally named Château De Rêve, which translates to “Castle of Dreams” in French, was ultimately renamed Aashirwaad, meaning “blessing” in Hindi. Anu Sharma explains the significance of the name change, stating, “At the time of puja, the pandit asked the name of the house. We thought and we decided to name it as Aashirwaad because in reality it’s a blessing.” This sense of gratitude permeates every aspect of the home.
The second episode of The American Bazaar’s documentary series, The Grand Mansions, takes viewers inside this award-winning property, showcasing not only its spectacular architecture and luxury features but also the journey that led to its creation. “This we built together. This is our dream home,” Anu shares in the documentary.
The Sharmas’ journey to Aashirwaad began long before construction commenced. “We have been planning for building our dream home since quite some time,” Anu recalls. The family sought open space, privacy, and a venue for entertaining, which made finding the right property a challenge. “It took like almost a year, more than a year, to find the lot. This was like a 5-acre property,” she adds.
Once they secured the land, the next hurdle was assembling the right team to bring their vision to life. “This was a lifetime project for us,” Anil says. “It was Anu’s dream, and I didn’t want to compromise anything on it.” After interviewing nearly 15 builders, they chose Mike and Mandy Mafi of The Building Group Inc. “I found Mike and Mandy’s homes they built. They are truly a very talented husband-wife team,” Anu explains. “We felt like they would be perfect for us.”
For the Mafis, the project was a unique opportunity. “They were really involved,” Mandy Mafi notes. “Anu and Anil both gave me a lot of freedom to create. That’s why this house became such a magnificent artistic house.” Construction took approximately two years, and what began as a vision for an 18,000 to 19,000-square-foot home evolved into a sprawling estate of 33,500 square feet.
The final design includes nine bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, a pool house, two gazebos, and expansive outdoor entertainment areas, all featuring custom-designed elements. John Mafi, assistant vice president of The Building Group, emphasizes the importance of vision in the project. “They knew what they wanted. They wanted this grandeur and luxury that cannot be seen in other homes,” he states.
Symmetry became a defining architectural theme. “The house is very symmetrical,” Anil explains. “Symmetry is very important to show the grandeur.” Visitors to Aashirwaad experience a carefully curated blend of European classical design and Indian cultural influences, with every room framed intentionally to create a sense of balance and scale.
Details such as custom chandeliers, which combine French classical influences with Italian Murano glass artistry, enhance the home’s elegance. “In each room, I kind of change the size and change the shape of it a bit and try to fit it into that room for that purpose,” Mandy describes.
Among the many features of Aashirwaad, one stands out: the bowling alley. “When we started building the basement, I asked my builder, can we have a bowling alley?” Anil recalls. This decision became one of the home’s signature attractions. Mike Mafi adds, “I think somebody comes to his house and leaves; one thing they would remember is the bowling alley.” The lower level also includes a large theater, golf simulator, exercise room, sauna, steam room, and recreation areas, making it a favorite spot for the Sharma children.
While luxury is evident throughout Aashirwaad, the documentary highlights the home’s spiritual dimensions. The mandir, or puja room, serves as the emotional center of the home. “The most important part of the house is mandir for us,” Anil states. The family traveled to Jaipur, India, to oversee its creation, witnessing the entire process from selecting marble to shaping the temple.
Indian influences are woven throughout the estate, including a custom Ganesh motif on the exterior and peacock-themed design elements that pay homage to Anu’s roots in Rajasthan. “I’m from Rajasthan back in India. So, I have a love for peacocks,” she shares.
Despite its grandeur, Aashirwaad was designed to foster family togetherness. Anu envisioned the kitchen as a gathering space, stating, “I wanted like a big, open space for us to spend time in the evening together.” The outdoor areas were equally important, with one of the largest backyards ever created by The Mafi Group. “We actually had a party of 600 people here, and it was comfortably done,” Mike notes.
Reflecting on their journey, Nikhil Sharma recalls their previous living situation in Illinois. “We came from a regular house in Illinois, so it’s definitely a big leap to coming here,” he says. Anil adds, “When we initially moved from India here, we had like a one-bedroom apartment. The smallest room here is bigger than what we lived in.” Aashirwaad has since garnered widespread recognition, winning seven awards in a regional home competition, including Best House in the Washington, D.C., area.
Yet, the family remains grounded in their humble beginnings. “With a humble beginning, we have never dreamed that we would build a house like this,” Anil reflects. The name Aashirwaad encapsulates their journey, as Anil concludes, “Getting something like this is truly a blessing.” The estate stands not only as a luxurious home but as a testament to the family’s perseverance, faith, and gratitude.
As the documentary illustrates, Aashirwaad is more than just a mansion; it is a monument to a family’s journey from a modest apartment to one of the most celebrated homes in the Washington region. The estate’s awards, custom architecture, and lavish amenities are impressive, but the true significance lies in the story behind it—a couple who dared to dream, a family that built together, and a profound appreciation for the opportunities that made those dreams possible.
According to The American Bazaar, the first episode of The Grand Mansions series featured Norton Manor, the sprawling Potomac, Maryland, residence of Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank F. Islam and his wife, Debbie Driesman.