Vipassana International Academy

Vipassana International Academy, also known as Dhamma Giri, is a prominent meditation center located in Igatpuri, Maharashtra. Established in 1976 by S.N. Goenka, it serves as the principal center for teaching Vipassana meditation in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. The facility operates primarily as a residential course center where ten-day courses are conducted on a donation basis. It is situated on a hill approximately 137 km from Mumbai and is recognized as one of the world's largest meditation centers.

General visitors should note that entry to the center premises is strictly restricted to confirmed students and servers; casual sightseeing inside the campus is typically not permitted. Official visiting hours for administrative inquiries or pre-arranged visits are generally listed as 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The center is a functional meditation retreat rather than a tourist attraction, characterized by silence and discipline during course periods. External views of the center and its surrounding hills are accessible, but internal facilities are reserved for course participants.

The academy opened its gates to the public in 1976 when S.N. Goenka conducted the first ten-day course from October 27 to November 7 with 89 students. Its establishment marked a significant milestone in spreading Vipassana meditation globally, transitioning from temporary 'gypsy camps' to a permanent dedicated center as envisioned by Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

The center teaches Vipassana, an ancient Indian meditation technique rediscovered by Gotama Buddha over 2500 years ago. It operates as a non-sectarian institution open to all regardless of race, community, or religion, emphasizing self-purification through self-observation. The tradition maintains that courses must be free of charge, supported only by donations from past students.