The Global Vipassana Pagoda (GVP) was built, among others, to express gratitude to Gautama Buddha, for dispensing what followers believe is a universal teaching for the eradication of suffering, to educate the public about the life and teaching of the Buddha, and to provide a place for the practice of meditation. It is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda of Yangon, Myanmar to show the gratitude of India to Myanmar for preserving the nonsectarian Vipassana Meditation, in its pristine purity; the actual relics of the Buddha are enshrined in the GVP. The foundation stone was laid in October 1997 and the construction concluded in November 2008; The construction work progressed without interruption supported selflessly by Vipassana meditators and devotees from around the world.
Majestic dome
GVP is the biggest pillar-less stone dome on earth built using the technique of inter-locking stones; three times the size of previous largest stone dome structure, the Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur. Inside the Pagoda, at its centre, is a huge meditation hall of 280 ft in diameter with a seating capacity of 8000 people. Approximately 2.5 million tons of stone was used in the construction of this 325 ft high structure; A Rain water harvesting tank has also been installed in the basement with a capacity of 1,725,000 litres
GVP on your itinerary
Located in North Mumbai in an area called Gorai (a peninsula between Gorai creek and the Arabian Sea), GVP is built on a donated land. 10-day Vipassana meditation courses are held at the meditation centre, beginning late evenings and extending till early mornings. The Global Pagoda’s gates are open to visitors between 9AMto 6 PM, ever since it was inaugurated by Pratibha Patil, the President of India, on February 8, 2009.
To reach there, follow the Western Express Highway to Bhayandar; head towards Gorai Beach and ask for Essel World which is beside GVP. From Borivali Station, Gorai Creek is 15 min. away by rickshaw; the Pagoda is prominently visible from here; A 10 min. ferry ride and another 5 min. rickshaw ride on the side of Gorai gaon (village) will take you to the magnificent golden dome.
