Aizawl (Mizoram)

Nestled in the hills of Mizoram, a sprawling 100-room house that once accommodated what was widely regarded as the world's largest family continues to draw visitors from across India and abroad. Located in Baktawng Tlangnuam village, about 100 kilometres south of Aizawl, the four-storey structure remains one of the state's most unusual tourist attractions.

Known as "Chhuan Thar Run" (New Generation House), the building was home to Ziona Chana (often spelt Giona Chana), the leader of the Christian religious sect Chana Pawl, who died in 2021 at age 76. Even after his death, members of the extended family continue to live together under the same roof, preserving a lifestyle that has fascinated people around the world for decades.

Tourists visiting the village are often astonished to learn that more than 160 members of the family once lived together in the massive residence. The sight of dozens of family members sharing a common way of life, while maintaining a highly organised household structure, remains a major attraction for visitors curious about one of the most extraordinary family arrangements in modern history.

Ziona Chana's house

Born as Zionnghaka, Ziona Chana became internationally known for having 39 wives, 94 children, dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making his household one of the largest ever documented. His family belonged to the Chana Pawl sect, a religious community that permits polygamy among men.

The family's residence was carefully organised to accommodate its large population. While sons, daughters-in-law and their children occupied separate rooms, the household functioned as a single unit. A common kitchen served meals for everyone, and household responsibilities were distributed according to a well-established routine. Wives took turns preparing food, while other family members shared cleaning, farming and maintenance duties.

Running such a large household required enormous quantities of food. According to accounts provided by the family over the years, the household consumed around 90 kilograms of rice and nearly 60 kilograms of potatoes every day, in addition to vegetables, meat and other essentials. To support these needs, the family cultivated agricultural land and raised livestock, including cattle and goats, making the household largely self-reliant.

Ziona Chana's family

Ziona Chana married for the first time as a teenager and went on to marry 39 women over the course of his life. According to family accounts, he married as many as ten wives within a single year. His marriages, along with the community's acceptance of polygamy, helped create the unusually large family structure for which he became famous.

The Chana Pawl sect itself has a history stretching back to the mid-20th century. Founded in 1942 by Ziona Chana's grandfather and other relatives, the community has grown to include around 2,000 followers, most of whom live in and around Baktawng. Ziona Chana assumed leadership of the sect in the late 1990s and remained its spiritual head until his death.

The family's lifestyle has not been without controversy. Critics have raised questions about polygamy, gender equality and the sustainability of maintaining such a large household. However, family members have consistently defended their way of life, describing it as a system built on cooperation, discipline and mutual support.

Today, the New Generation House stands as more than just a family residence. It has become a symbol of a unique social experiment—one that combines religious faith, communal living and an extraordinary commitment to collective family life. For many visitors, the house offers a rare glimpse into a way of living that challenges conventional notions of family and household organisation.

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More than four years after Ziona Chana's death, the family continues to attract global attention, and the New Generation House remains one of Mizoram's most visited and talked-about landmarks. Whether viewed as a remarkable example of communal harmony or a subject of social debate, the story of the Chana family continues to captivate millions around the world.