Welcome to Vipassana International Academy

<= Entering through the main gate of the Vipassana International Academy, the ascent of the hillock leads one to this arched entrance that greets visitors. The trees above it are many years older and arch serenely over to indicate the tranquility they have gently shaded over the years.

Leave your cars here,

No, cars are not allowed into Dhamma Giri. Simply because they are not required in the least. But should you plan to complete your course here, the VIA security is ample to provide protection to your wheels. =>

You would be more comfortable walking around the place

<= Let your legs lead you into your tryst with nature. Going left from this gate, the gents register themselves in the administrative block. Ladies go around the right side of this gate and find their office just around the corner.

These steps will lead to the Main Office and the gents' registration area

That's the registration office. Registration for courses, course forms and accommodation for the gents are allotted here. Move up the steps and you will find a simple, yet neat area =>

Registration, documents, Telephones.

This is the hub of administrative activity

<= The centre manager's office and communication centre are also located in this area.

Once accommodation has been allotted, just trek the trail to the appointed rooms

Students walk down to and fro to their quarters, dining area, administration block and meditation areas, around the 50 acre campus. =>

. . .Or make a stop at the spacious dining room

<= The dining room has been enlarged to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of students undergoing training in Vipassana Meditation.

Path leading to meditators' living quarters

Once the course starts, noble silence is observed within the course area. It helps maintain the pristine purity of nature. One finds the answers not by communicating with each other, but by observing the truth within oneself. =>

Female administrative block

<= There is complete segregation of genders observed within the premises of the course area. For course registration, accommodation allocation, dhamma seva and other work in the female area, this is where all the activity is undertaken from.

All participants leave those belongings and valuables which are not required during the course.

A view of the ambience around the center with an abundance of verdant trees and misty mountains

In the monsoon, which is prevalent for a longer time in Igatpuri than other parts of Western India, the rain clouds make themselves omni-present. At times one is walking through the clouds. The trees in this area reflect their greenery in acceptance of the rain. =>

Walking past the living quarters towards Shanti Pathar

<= This is the hedge fencing the demarcation of areas between males and females. The residential quarters designed earlier are marked by the noticeable structure of the roofs.

A view of the cells in Dhamma Tapovan from Shanti Pathar

The new centre of Dhamma Tapovana is being completed exclusively for Long and special courses enabling serious practice. Dhamma Tapovana is situated within the VIA premises and one walks down the hill descending to more than 25 feet below the level of Shanti Pathar =>

A view of the Principal Teacher's residential quarters

<= When the Principal Teacher -Goenkaji visits Dhamma Giri, these are his living quarters. There is a visitors' hall too where he meets meditators during and after a course. There is a walkway that leads to the Dhamma Hall No. 1 and the Pagoda that is located to the right of this building from the present viewpoint.

The principal teacher's walking area

There is a garden that adjoins the Principal Teachers's residence. A small path through the garden allows for walking. =>

Approaching Dhamma Hall 1, in the background is the main Pagoda

<= The Shanti Pathar - or Plateau of Peace - is the highest part of the hillock on which Vipassana International Academy is situated. This is the walkway while approaching the 4 Dhamma Halls located around the Pagoda.

A closer view

In the picture below one can see the little bridge that connects the Principal Teacher's residence with the Pagoda. =>

The Dhamma seat for Goenkaji and Mataji

<= Entering the Dhamma Hall, the teachers' seats face the meditators area.

The meditation hall with the cushions laid out in order

The students are alloted cushions to sit on during the course and for the tenure of the course these remain fixed for each student. =>

This is the inside of the Pagoda with the stairway leading to the lower cells

<= As one gets inside the structure of the Pagoda, a large stairway leads up to the concentric circles housing the cells for the meditators in the lower cell area.

The stairway leads to the upper cells

This is the stairway that leads to the upper cell area of the Pagoda. =>

What a cell looks like from within

<= The cell is a simple cubicle that allows a meditator uninterrupted meditation periods.

Outer perpective of the lower cells at the base of the Pagoda

The cells and the Pagoda, all seen while walking past its outside =>

Outer perpective of upper cells 

<= Another view of the Pagoda on the Plateau of peace.

The hills form a majestic backdrop to VIA

One can sense a feeling of peace when in the vicinity of the Pagoda. Over the years, meditation by several thousand meditators have contributed to making this place ideal for deep meditation. =>

Coming back on the Shanti Pathar

A panoramic view that encompasses all of Shanti Pathar's backdrop.

These pictures are representative of the tranquil meditation environment that Dhamma Giri offers. Click on any of the pictures to see a larger image. The images have been arranged in a sequintial walk through Dhamma Giri.