State: Maharashtra
Location: 2 minutes from Essel World, 5 km from Gorai Creek, Mumbai
Declared as: One of the Seven Wonders of Maharashtra by MTDC
Famous for: Buddhist Temple, Meditation center
About Global Vipassana Pagoda
Inaugurated in 2009, Global Vipassana Pagoda is a large monument and a Buddhist Temple built in Burmese architectural style near Mumbai. Meant to be a meditation hall (Dhamma Vipassana), the Global Vipassana Pagoda Dome is the world's largest stone dome. Design inspired by the architecture of Shwedagon Pagoda of Myanmar, this Buddhist temple is declared by MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) as one of the Seven Wonders of Maharashtra. This temple stands at the height of approximately 96 meters, whereas the dome is 29 meters in height. The dome stands without the support of extra pillars.
Indeed a spiritual retreat, Global Vipassana Pagoda holds free Vipassana meditation courses. A student(one who enrolls) receives free ten day Vipassana meditation course. The charges of lodging and boarding for this student is met by donations done by the students who have successfully finished Global Pagoda courses and wish to offer the opportunity to others for the experience. Once the student finishes his or her course and is satisfied and benefited with the experience, he or she can do the same for others by donating and providing the opportunity.
Other than ten day course, the Global Vipassana Pagoda also offers Vipassana meditation courses for children, teenagers and adults. Apart from that they offer seva courses for old students. For visitors a 20 minutes Anaparna Meditation course is offered. This course comes with audio instructions in Shri S. N. Goenka's voice and is held at the Global Vipassana Pagoda's north Pagoda, opposite to the Visitor's gallery. All visitors are expected to observe silence. You even need to switch off mobile phones. Anyone above ten years of age can attend this courses.
A visit to the Visitor's gallery is a must. Here one can find life of Gautam Buddha captured within the pictures. Various books on Gautam Buddha, spirituality, meditation and published information on Dhamma Vipassana can be bought from here. The visit to Global Vipassana Pagoda is an experience of a lifetime.
How to Reach Global Vipassana Pagoda
Though located on the outskirts of Mumbai, yet Global Vipassana Pagoda is well-connected to Mumbai.Reaching Global Vipassana Pagoda by Road: One can reach Global Vipassana Pagoda by road from Thane and Nashik via Eastern Express Highway to Ghodbunder Road. It takes 2 hours 28 minutes to reach this Buddhist temple via Ghodbunder Road. Also one can reach Pagoda via Western Express Highway.
Reaching Global Vipassana Pagoda by Train: You can take a Churchgate - Borivali train and get down at Borivali, exit to Borivali west and take auto rickshaw for Gorai creek or Gorai Khadi (ferry landing). The auto rickshaw costs INR 40 to 50 approximately. From here you can take Essel World ferries to Global Vipassana Pagoda. These ferries depart at the interval of 30 minutes. Last ferry ride is at 5:30 pm. For ferry service, we have two options the Essel World ferry service and the local ferry service. Essel World ferry service is the best option though they charge INR 50 per person for return trip. As you start nearing the drop-off point you can actually see the golden dome amidst the marsh. Once you step off the jetty, the Pagoda is at a walkable distance and there are signs provided around the corner. While the other option of local ferry though comes at about INR 5 to INR 10 for single journey, they drop you off,quite far from Pagoda and then you have to take a bus to reach Global Vipassana Pagoda. Other than auto-rickshaw, BEST buses no - 294 and 247 run regularly to Gorai Creek from Borivali railway station.
Alternative bus service from Bhayander Railway Station is also available that reaches Global Vipassana Pagoda. The bus ply regularly between 6:30 am to 6:45 pm. The fare cost approximately INR 15.
One can also opt for Essel World ferries from Marve Beach, if you get off at Malad Station. The rates are more or less the same, but the ferry ride is time consuming.
Reaching Global Vipassana Pagoda by air: The nearest airport is Mumbai Domestic airport / International airport. From here one has a choice of continuing his journey by road or train.
Entry Fee for Global Vipassana Pagoda
There is no entry fee for visiting Global Vipassana Pagoda. It is completely free of cost.
Tour Guide Charges at Global Vipassana Pagoda
There is no charge or cost for tour guide at Global Vipassana Pagoda
Entry Timings for Global Vipassana Pagoda
Entry timings from Monday to Sunday: 9 am to 6:30 pm
(The Global Vipassana Pagoda remains open till 7 pm throughout the week, but the visitor's entry is restricted after 6:30 pm.)
Tips to Remember While visiting Global Vipassana Pagoda
1. Visitors are expected to observe complete silence during the Vipassana meditation session.
2. It would be convenient to carry an identity card while visiting Global Vipassana Pagoda.
3. For foreign tourist and visitors, it is mandatory to carry an identification proof, be it a passport or a certificate issued from respective embassy.
4. Visitors are expected to switch off their mobile phones during the Vipassana Meditation session.
5. Visitors are refrained from carrying alcoholic drinks within the premises of Global Vipassana Pagoda. Intoxicants and various items such as cigarettes, bidis, pan and tobacco are not allowed within the premises.
6. No photography is allowed within the Main Dome of Pagoda or in the visitor's gallery. One can still take pictures outside the Main Dome of Pagoda and rest other area within the Global Vipassana Pagoda premises.
7. No disturbing behaviour or conduct is tolerated within the Pagoda premises. Each and every visitor should behave and cause no trouble for every other visitor and student inside the Pagoda.
8. Food is available at Food Plaza situated within the Pagoda premises. However one can carry tiffin from home too.
Contact Details of Global Vipassana Pagoda
Global Vipassana Pagoda
Global Pagoda Road
Next to Essel World
Borivali West
Gorai Village
Pincode - 400091
Maharashtra
Telephone number of Global Vipassana Pagoda: 022-28451170
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