The Global Vipassana Pagoda is a massive golden-domed meditation hall on a peninsula north of Mumbai, inaugurated in 2009 as the world's largest stone-dome structure without supporting pillars — a 96-metre diameter hall that can seat 8,000 people in silent Vipassana meditation. The pagoda is inspired by Myanmar's Shwedagon and was built to honour S. N. Goenka, the industrialist-turned-meditation-teacher who popularised Vipassana globally.
Reaching the pagoda requires a ferry from Gorai Creek — the journey itself, across a saltwater estuary with mangroves and fishing boats, is one of the most unexpectedly scenic escapes from central Mumbai. The pagoda complex includes an art gallery on the Buddha's life, a meditation centre (which offers free 10-day silent courses), and gardens, with the pagoda's gold exterior visible from kilometres away across the creek.
Verified Facts
The pagoda was inaugurated in 2009
The 96-metre stone dome is the world's largest without supporting pillars
The meditation hall seats 8,000 people
It was built to honour Vipassana teacher S. N. Goenka
Get walking directions
Gorai Road, Borivali West, Mumbai, 400092, India
