Have you thought of practicing meditation to fight back negativities and depressing thoughts, but got deterred by the dilemma of choosing the right option and place? It’s about time you give Vipassana meditation a try. The root of this ancient meditation technique can be traced back to more than 2500 years – the era when Gautam Buddha attained nirvana and developed the cult of Buddhism. This age old non-sectarian technique is meant for the elimination of mental impurities. It lets the followers establish a connection between their mind and body. This meditation technique helps you become aware of the difference between reality and the perceived reality. You can attain a peaceful state of mind after trying this form of meditation, and your level of self-control will go up.

Vipassana Medication Centers In India:

The good thing is you need not go abroad to seek lessons of Vipassana meditation. The maestro who re-introduced the method to the world, Mr. S N Goenka, also did his bit to make it popular in India. Since 1969, he and his key disciples have been teaching this meditation technique all over India. Now there are several Vipassana meditation centers in India for interested people. At any of these centers, you can obtain the teaching of this age old meditation technique and overcome mental barriers like never before.

1. Dhamma Dhaja, Hoshiarpur, Punjab:

Located in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur District, the Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana Meditation center is close to the Shivalik Mountain range. This center often helps to relieve the excess student load of Dhamma Sikhara center. It offers short courses for seasoned students of this meditation technique.
Phone: [91] (01882)272 333, 240 202
Address: Hoshiarpur Vipassana Centre
Dhamma Dhaja
Punjab Vipassana Trust; Anand Public School
Anandgadh village; Post Melawali;
Dist. Hoshiarpur 146110;
Punjab, India

2. Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri:

This is one of the prominent Vipassana meditation centers in India. Located at Maharastra’s Igatpuri, not far from Mumbai, this center has played a pivotal role in spreading the ancient meditation technique among Indians and travelers from abroad alike. It started operating in 1976. The center offers 10 day meditation courses twice every month- all over the year. The center is located in a beautiful location amidst lush greenery. Its aesthetic architecture makes your mind content and mesmerized too.
Phone: 91-2553-244076, 244086, 243712, 243238
Address: Vipassana International Academy Dhamma Giri, P.O. Box 6, Igatpuri 422 403, District Nasik, Maharashtra, India

3. Dhamma Pattana, Mumbai:

Located in Mumbai’s northern suburbs, the Dhamma Pattana Vipassana meditation center is built on a hill. It offers you views of Gorao beach. This is one center in India that is equipped with state of the art facilities, and it caters mostly to working professionals. The courses offered are same, but followers get additional lessons on the ways to cope with the stresses of the business world.
Phone: [91] (22) 33747501 / 2845 2111 (Mon-Sat, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM only)
Address: Dhamma Pattana Vipassana Centre
Inside Global Vipassana Pagoda Campus
Next to Esselworld, Gorai Village,
Borivali (West), Mumbai 400091

4. Dhamma Bodhi, Bodh Gaya:

You may choose to meditate at many places in India, but can anything be better than the place where Lord Buddha himself attained enlightenment? You can opt for the Dhamma Bodhi Vipassana meditation center, located in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya. It is adjacent to the Magadha University. This center can accommodate 80 students. The center offers the 10 day Vipassana meditation course throughout the year.
Phone: [91](631)220-0437
Address: Bodh Gaya International Vipassana Meditation Centre
Gaya-Dhobi Road, Near Magadha University,
Bodhgaya, Bihar 824 234
India

5. Sikhara Dhamma, Dharamasala:

If you want to learn and practice Vipassana meditation amidst the serenity of mountains and breathe in fresh air, head to the Sikhara Dhamma Vipassana meditation center. Located in Dharamasala in Himachal Pradesh, it is undeniably among the most beautiful and serene Vipassana meditation centers in India. The center holds 10 day courses from April to November.
Phone: [91] 92184-14051 and [91] 92185-14051
Address: Himachal Vipassana Centre
Dhamma Sikhara;
Dharamkot, McLeodganj; Dharamsala 176 219
Dist. Kangra; Himachal Pradesh;
India

6. Dhamma Setu, Chennai:

Located in the outskirts of Chennai, the Dhamma Setu Vipassana meditation center is surrounded by farmlands and paddy fields. It started operations in 2005. This is a large center that can accommodate more than 400 students. Apart from the popular full-time course, this also has a special course for the kids. The beautiful three tier pagoda and Dhamma halls are used for practicing meditation. Purified water, heated water and shaded walkways are offered at this center. This is one center that offers 20 and 30 day courses for veteran students of this meditation method.
Phone: +91-94442-80952 and +91-94442-90953
Address: Vipassana Meditation Centre,
‘Dhamma Setu’,
533 Pazhanthandalam Road,
Thirumudivakkam,
(Via Thiruneermalai),
Chennai – 600 044.
INDIA

7. Dhamma Sota, Haryana:

Located in Haryana’s Village Rahaka, Dhamma Sota Vipassana meditation center was set up in 2000. It is built on nearly 16 acres of land amidst the lush greenery of Aravali Hills. It can accommodate 50 female and 78 male students. It also offers single rooms as a facility. The center conducts the 10-day course every month. It also offers bilingual courses.
Phone: [91] (11) 26452772/46585455
Address: Administrative Office
Vipassana Sadhana Sansthan
Room No. 1015, 10th Floor, Hemkunt Tower (Modi Tower)
98, Nehru Place, New Delhi – 110 019, INDIA

8. Dhamma Thali, Jaipur:

Jaipur’s Dhamma Thali Vipassana Meditation Centre is located in a hilly countryside, making it perfect for such practices. There are courses for both beginners and advanced meditation practitioners. The courses are offered in a number of languages. The center is run and owned by Vipassana Samiti.
Phone: +91-141-2177446, +91-9610401401, +91-9930117187
Address: Dhamma Thali, via Sisodiya Rani Baug, Ghat ke Balaji
just ½ k.m. before Galtaji Temple
Jaipur

9. Dhamma Pushkar, Ajmer:

Another prominent center for learning Vipassana Meditation in India, the Dhamma Pushkar center is located in Rajasthan’s Ajmer District. Run by a charitable trust named Vipassana Kendra Pushkar, this center offers meditation courses throughout the year. The location of this 12 acre center makes it perfect for learning and practicing the ancient meditation method. You will be mesmerized by the visual splendor of the Aravalli hills and the beauty of the legendary Pushkar Lake. The center is much smaller compared to other Vipassana Meditation centers in India, but offers some of the best courses.
Phone: +91-145-2780570, +91-9413307570
Address: Dhamma Pushkar, Vipassana Meditation Centre,
Village Rewat (Kadel) – 305031, Distt. Ajmer (Rajasthan) INDIA

10. Dhamma Karunika. Haryana:

The Dhamma Karunika, set up in Haryana’s Kunjpura, is built on 7 acres of land. This Vipassana Meditation center began its operations in 2003. The center is equipped with all provisions students may require. It can accommodate 36 female and 52 male students. You can opt for the usual 10-day course or a shorter 3-day course.
Phone: [91] (0184) 225-7543
Address: Vipassana Sadhana Sansthan – Dhamma Karunika
Near Government School
Village Neval Post Sainik School
Kunjpura, Karnal-132001
India

Summing It Up:

The centers adhere to the meditation techniques introduced by Mr. S N Goenka. All the aforementioned Vipassana Meditation centers accept applications through their website. They have websites where you can submit queries, obtain contact information and book your seat for the course. Vipassana Meditation is usually offered free of cost, though students can make donations after completing the course. Some centers also allow seasoned students to offer sessions to newcomers.