In 1978, a medal winning veteran of the Indian Air Force was awarded a 10- acre plot of land by the Maharashtra Govt on the outskirts of Palghar city, about 3.5 km from Palghar Railway Station (approx. 100 km to the north of Mumbai).
In 2012 with his Dhamma volition the first group sitting took place on this land. Subsequently local meditators formed the Palghar Vipassana Trust and from April 2014 onwards, regular 1-Day, 3-Day and 10-Day courses started being held, by renovating existing structures that were expanded into Residential Quarters, Dining & Dhamma Halls, with a capacity of 20 students per course.
Rev. Mataji Illaichidevi Goenkaji visited the site in Dec. 2014, where she participated in a group sitting, took a tour of the site and discussed plans for the future of a proposed centre. It was then that the name ‘Dhamma Vatika’, meaning the ‘Orchard of Dhamma’, was suggested for the initiative.
Over the past 5 years more than 2000 students have participated in the courses, the site today hosts over 20 single-gender courses annually with capacity of 40+ students per course.
After several years of effort, the Government of Maharashtra has issued a letter to enable the transfer of the land to the Palghar Vipassana Trust at a nominal value of approx. Rs 2 Cr. as against its market value of over Rs 20 Cr.
Post the transfer of land, the Trust shall be implementing a phase-wise master plan for the much awaited full-fledged Vipassana centre with all amenities having a capacity of over 150 students per course.
The Trust has already received certain donation commitments towards the land transfer. You are welcome to participate in this noble venture - donations made to Palghar Vipassana Trust are deductible under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.
Details for Donation using IMPS/NEFT/RTGS:
Payee's Name: Palghar Vipassana Trust
Account No.: 4641101000787
Bank: Canara Bank
Branch: Palghar
IFSC: CNRB0004641
PAN: AACTP4862D
You can also give a call at +91 98339 34712 for any support in the donation process.
Address: Dhamma Vatika, Palghar Vipassana Trust, Behind Alyali Cricket Ground, Alyali Village, Palghar- 401404
Mob.: +91 96371 01154 (Course Manager)
Email: vipassana.palghar@gmail.com
Website: http://www.vatika.dhamma.org/
