Global Vipassana Pagoda - Photos and My experience

The Global Vipassana Pagoda is a Meditation Hall near Gorai, North-west of Mumbai, India. The Pagoda was inaugurated by Pratibha Patil, then President of India on 8 February 2009. It is built on donated land on a peninsula between Gorai creek and the Arabian Sea. The pagoda is to serve as a monument of peace and harmony. The Global Vipassana Pagoda has been built out of gratitude to the Buddha, his teaching and the community of monks practicing his teaching. Its traditional Burmese design is an expression of gratitude towards the country of Myanmar for preserving the practice of Vipassana. The shape of the pagoda is a copy of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. It was built combining ancient Indian and modern technology to enable it to last for a thousand years The center of the Global Vipassana Pagoda contains the world's largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars.(Source: Wikipedia Link)

We (My cousin and me and my mother ) visited to Global Vipassana Pagoda in 2011 when it was in the process of completion (almost complete.)  So these are photos of  Global Vipassana Pagoda from our visit in 2011. 

A view from Gorai creek (one needs to go there by boat as it is on the otherside of  the creek)

Entrance (Gate)

Our First view (Sunrise and Pagoda)

Buddha Statue

Replica of Main Pagoda

Ashoka Pillar

There were quotes written on the wall in three languages -Hindi,Marathi and English

 I liked this quote very much

Bell Tower

Statute at Entrance

Details in designs

Gong Tower

View of entrance from Global Vipassana Pagoda

Construction Materials : (Source : wikipedia)

The foundation of the dome consists of basalt, while the dome itself is made from sandstone imported from Rajasthan. The individual blocks of sandstone weigh 600–700 kg each and are kept in place due to the unique design of the bricks. Each of the bricks interlock with the ones adjacent to it and lime mortar is used to fill in any remaining gaps. The circumambulation path is laid in marble.

The pinnacle of the pagoda is adorned with a large crystal. The spire is covered in real gold, while the rest of the pagoda is covered in gold paint. The spire is topped with a special ornamental umbrella piece donated by the Burmese. The main doors to the pagoda are wooden and hand-carved in Myanmar (Burma).

My experience at Global Vipassana Pagoda (visit in 2011):

We (I and my cousin and my mom) went to Gorai creek in morning just to spend there some time (and view sunrise etc) and my cousin (who came to stay at our house to spend some time with me) asked whether we can go there? The boat (ferry) was waiting for passengers. I was not aware about the (visiting hours) timings nor about how to go there from the other side of creek but then I said "ok" and we somehow convinced my mom.

Ferry charges Rs 5 per person to go to other side of creek (small distance and it is a subsidized service). I was happy because of two reason, 1. I  never visited the other side of creek , 2. I always wished to visit Pagoda (whenever I went to Gorai, I saw the amazing view of Pagoda (first picture in this post) .

So we boarded the boat/ ferry and reached other side of creek. The asked some locals, Bus service was available but from 11 am and we were there  at 8.30 am so we decided to go by auto rickshaw (it was convenient for us.) We asked him auto fare and then asked him (Rickshaw driver) whether he can stay there to drop us back (as we decided to return within 2 hrs.) He agreed. and this was the best decision we took. On return journey no single vehicle was there and roads were vehicle-less and even people-less (It was a Sunday morning and we were the only visitor at that time). The timing was 9.00 am to open but they allowed us at 8.45 am to enter inside. 

I was amazed by the view. It was beautiful. A guide (volunteer) came and explained everything in detail to us about Pagoda. We visited the museum in which whole life of Bhagwan Buddha was described. We saw the meditation center from outside.  

Volunteer was very nice and he explained us everything in detail (he didn't charged us and he told us that it was a form of seva). We left the place after approximately 3 hours (with the wonderful experience).   

I experienced so much of peace there. (last time such peace I experienced was in our visit at Shegaon in 2004,that time I was a school going girl and I remember, I was badly scared of that wonderful peace ) (It is very difficult to experience such peace in normal city life). I felt very nice. I cannot describe my experience of our visit in words. In all it was a memorable visit and I would like to go there again someday.

View of Pagoda from Kanheri cave (i.e from extreme (end) point of Borivali East to the End Point of Borivali West ) (picture is not clear because I don't have DSLR camera)

P.s - I am really sorry for the such a long post. I thought to post it in one single post and not in parts.

P.p.s This is my first attempt of sharing my experience from our visit. I hope you all will like it. Positive/Negative feedback is highly appreciated.