Dad to 'world's largest family' with 94 children and 39 wives dies in India aged 76 after suffering health problems

THE dad to the "world's largest family" with 94 children and 39 wives living under the same roof has died aged 76.

Ziona Chana passed away in the intensive care unit of a hospital in the Indian state of Mizoram on Sunday after suddenly falling sick last week.

He was the leader of a Christian sect – called Chana pawl – which allowed its male members to be polygamous.

Ziona also had 14 daughters-in-law, 33 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, reports the New Indian Express.

All members of the giant family live in a 100-room, four-storey home set in the hills in the remote village of Baktawng Tlangnuam.

The region's Chief Minister tweeted: "With heavy heart, Mizoram bid farewell to Mr Ziona believed to head the world's largest family.

"Mizoram and his village has become a major tourist attraction in the state because of the family. Rest in Peace Sir!”

Ziona always said he felt blessed to have such a large brood, The Sun Online has reported.

He once said: “I feel like God’s special child. He’s given me so many people to look after.

“I consider myself a lucky man to be the husband of 39 women and head of the largest family.”

The family’s home is called Chhuanthar Run -which translates as “the house of the new generation”.

It has its own school, a playground, carpentry workshops, piggery and poultry farms, paddy fields – and a vegetable garden big enough to feed the entire extended family.

Meal times are like feeding an army, with the women of the family spending hours making dinner.

A typical meal can see them plucking 30 chickens, peeling 132lb of spuds and boiling up 220lb of rice.

All the cooking is done over an open fire kept burning throughout the day.

Ziona’s eldest wife Zathiangi, 69, delegates all the daily duties around the house to his other wives, their daughters and the daughters-in-law.

Every day there is a mountain of washing to get through — all done by hand.

Ziona, who was called “Ka pa” or simply Father by his family, married Zathiangi when he was just 17.

He was the hereditary leader of the Chana sect, who believe they will one day rule the world with Christ.

Named after Challian Chana, Ziona’s grandfather, the sect allows the men to take as many wives as they want.

Zinoa had the luxury of his own bedroom in the house — to which the wives were summoned in turn.

The other 99 rooms are occupied by the rest of the family.

Although Ziona had his own large double bed, his wives have to make do sharing beds in dormitories.

Ziona liked to keep his younger wives nearest to him on the same floor as his bedroom — while his older wives sleep on the first floor of the house.

During the day he liked to have seven or eight wives with him all the time to wait on him hand and foot.

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