Vipassana International Academy, Igatpuri

Dhamma Giri, meaning ‘Hill of Dhamma’, is one of the world’s largest meditation centres and the main centre of a rapidly growing global Vipassana organization. It is dedicated to the teaching of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

What is Vipassana?

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, an Art of Living.
Vipassana is the process of self-purification by self-observation. One begins by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. Then, with a sharpened awareness, one proceeds to observe the changing nature of body and mind and experiences the universal truths of impermanence, suffering and egolessness. This truth-realization by direct experience results in mental purification.
The technique is a universal remedy for universal problems and has nothing to do with any organized religion or sectarianism. It can be freely practiced by anyone without conflict due to race, community or religion, and will prove equally beneficial to one and all. You can find out more about the technique here.
The following Video Discourse by S. N. Goenka (about 19 minutes) provides a short explanation of the technique of Vipassana meditation: click here

Vipassana Courses

To learn Vipassana meditation one needs to develop one's own experience during a residential ten day course. Courses are held throughout the year at Dhamma Giri. Courses are also held in various locations throughout India and many countries around the world.
To understand the prerequisites for course attendance and to apply for a course in at Dhamma Giri please consult the Course Information Page and the associated instructions.
According to the tradition of pure Vipassana, courses are run solely on a donation basis. Donations are accepted only from those who have completed at least one ten-day course with S.N. Goenka or one of his assistant teachers. Someone taking the course for the first time may give a donation for future courses on the last day of the course or any time thereafter.

At a distance of 2 km from Igatpuri Railway Station, the Vipassana International Academy is a renowned meditation center located in Igatpuri, Maharashtra. Also known as Dhammagiri Meditation Centre, it is considered as the world's largest meditation center and among the prime places to visit in Igatpuri.

Founded in 1976 AD by S. N. Goenka, Dhammagiri Meditation Centre is known to offer various courses on Vipassana, an ancient meditation technique which was rediscovered by Gautama Buddha around 2,500 years ago as a treatment for general illness. The founder of Vipassana International Academy, S N Goenka used to teach Vipassana meditation, which was taught by his teacher U Ba Khin, at this centre. The Vipassana meditation is the self-purification process, which starts with by concentrating your mind by observing your breathing pattern. The meditation will benefit your mind and body and you will start experiencing egolessness, mental purification and the truth of impermanence. The technique is not related to any religion so that anyone can participate in this meditation irrespective of their caste, creed.

The Vipassana Meditation Center at Igatpuri is the main center of global Vipassana Organization. The entrance to the center is marked as Myanmar Gate. The center's pagoda has over 400 cells for individual meditation. This academy is known for offering a 10 day meditation course and people from across the world visit this place to attend it. Around 600 people can take part in this course at a time. Complete silence has to be maintained during the entire 10 days. Also, one will not have any contact with the outside world and will have to refrain from talking or communicating with other participants. The course, food and accommodation are free of cost and the course is conducted solely on the donations given by one of the teacher or from those who have finished at least one 10-day course.

Timings: 9.30 AM - 4.30 PM

Entry: Free