A Day at Global Vipassana Pagoda (A Photo Story)

What I like most about the cities we live in is the places we generally not aware about. Like the case of one of its own kind Butterfly Park of Thane, which is at stone throw distance from my place and I came to knew about it a few months back only. Then there is this Pagoda – another one of its own kind – world renowned and still not known to many city dwellers. We visited this place to take pictures and let me confirm it, we were stoned by the colors and the mystical sky (check out the Photo Story at the bottom of the post)

Located at Northern most corner of the Megacity of Mumbai, across the Gorai creek, Global Vipassana Pagoda is a meditation hall built out of gratitude to the Buddha, his teaching and the community of monks practicing his teaching (Wikipedia).

The Global Vipassana Pagoda - HDR

The Pagoda is also known for being built on the world's largest stone dome without any supporting pillars, at height of ~29 metres and external diameter 94.82-97.46 m. It is, thus, twice the size of the Gol Gumbaz Dome in Bijapur (external diameter ~44m) which had been the World’s largest hollow dome. As such the pagoda is is a copy of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar and it is assumed as an an expression of gratitude towards the Myanmar for preserving the practice of Vipassana. The Pagoda also finds a place in the list the "Seven Wonders of Maharashtra" declared by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in partnership with ABP Majha in June 2013.

The Smaller Dome

The central dome, which is the largest dome, contains the relics of Gautam Buddha’s bones at the top most point of it which also carries the Dhamma Chakra. The relics have been donated by the Sri Lankan government. It is meant mainly for the practice of meditation – Vipassana. There is one small dome next to the main pagoda where the tourists are introduced to the first aasana of Vipassana – Anapana Meditation. It’s a 20 minutes session where the attendees are expected to listen to and follow the recorded instructions of Shri Goenka ji.

Timings:

One can visit the place any day. Morning should be the best time to visit and also to take pictures. We, however, went there post noon to have a chance of taking pictures of the pagoda in the artificial light. Though we couldn’t take those pictures, we did have an amazing time clicking with the natural sunset light and a mystical sky helping us.

How to reach:

Best way to reach Vipassana Centre is by taking Essel World’s jetty from Borivali/Gorai creek. Reaching Borivali is an easy task by either local train on Western Express Highway, and then the Essel World’s jetty tickets are for Rs. 50/- per person. It’s better than the regular Gorai jetty as it takes one directly to the Essel World or the Vipassan Centre. Last ferry to leave Gorai for Borivali is at 7:30 PM.

How to reach Global Vipassana Pagoda

Driving own vehicle one should take Western Express Highway – if coming from Mumbai or Ghodbunder Road – if from Navi Mumbai; and take a left turn at Kashimira towards Gorai.

The Picture Story

Main Pagoda with Singh (Ashoka)Stambha in front

Singh (Ashoka)Stambha

An angled view

Red and the Golden from another angle

Aakash Devta and Devi
(God and Goddess of Sky)

Red and the Golden from another angle

Jal Devta and Devi
(God and Goddess of Water)

Vipassana Centre

Silhouette of the Pagoda temple

An HDR capture of the Main Gate of Global Vipassana Pagoda

Buddha in front of the Pagoda

Another HDR capture of the mystical sky and the amazing pagoda

Mesmerizing reflection of the Global Vipassana Pagoda

If you have been to the place do share with us your experience. To know more about Vipassana and the Pagoda, please visit the official website here.

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Aziz25 September 2013 at 13:04
Felling of gold-rush within ! rich settings .. lovely perspectives !
Punit Dubey26 September 2013 at 01:28
Thanks @Aziz bhai :)
Punit Dubey26 September 2013 at 01:29
thank you so much @Deepak Amembal Sir, It's my second attempt to HDR and I must say I am loving it :D
Rajesh26 September 2013 at 09:20
Wonderful shots. Great to know about this place. I would love to visit some time.
Menaka Deshpande26 September 2013 at 18:36
fantastic facts & gloriously shot, I really like the last picture - has a - je ne sais quoi element so I won't even try :) this post takes me back to my summer vacations spent in Gaya, we would always visit Bodh Gaya each year and although it has been well over 2 decades since I've been there, it's funny that I can just close my eyes and still hear the prayer bells and smell the incense waft - it relaxed me then, it rejuvenates me now.!
Pankti Mehta26 September 2013 at 19:00
Beautiful. Last two pics are the most amazing ones :D

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