Global Vipassna Pagoda, Gorai, Mumbai
I am sure most of the people living may not know, but this structure is Global VIpassna Pagoda, which is World's largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars. The height of the dome is approximately 29 metres, while the height of the building is 96.12 meters, which is twice the size of the previously largest hollow stone monument in the world.

A view of this beautiful Pagoda at night, source of picture Wikipedia

On seeing the above scene from Malad, my Wife & daughter were eager to go to this place (at that time, we didn't knew what was it or the name of place). Only thing I could make out it that this structure at somewhere near Esselworld in Gorai.

What is Vipassana:

in the Buddhist tradition means insight into the true nature of reality. A regular practitioner of Vipassana is known as a Vipassi (vipaśyin). Vipassana is one of the world's most ancient techniques of meditation, the inception of which is attributed to Gautama Buddha.

More about Vipassna is available at:
Website Thiền Vipassana
Vipassan? - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

After some searching on internet, I came to know it is Global Vipassana Pagoda, situated at Gorai, Mumbai.

Global Vipassna Pagoda
The pagoda is to serve as a monument of peace and harmony. It is located in the north of Mumbai in an area called Gorai and is built on donated land on a peninsula between Gorai creek and the Arabian Sea. The Global Vipassana Pagoda is 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.

More about Global VIpassana Pagoda (info on Construction History, etc) at:
Global Vipassana Pagoda - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The day was 25th December 2010 & we three (myself, wifey & daughter) set out on our bike for a 31 kms ride from Malad - Western Express Highway - Mira Bhayander Road - Uttan Road - Global Pagoda.

Driving Directions:
1. By Car: Pass the Dahisar Check Naka & go towards Ahmedabad. Turn Left to Mira - Bhayander Road (Look for direction to Essel World).

2. By Bike: a. follow the Car route above
b. Reach Marve Creek & you can carry your Bike in Ferry boat to Manori Island. From there you can have wonderfull country side ride to Pagoda which is approx 7 kms.

The entry to Pagoda is free & the moment you reach there you are taken back by this spectacular view:

Few more pictures of Pagoda:

Look how small we appear in front of the mighty huge Pagoda

There are some weeklong Vipassan Courses held at the Pagoda. It can accomodate 3000+ people at World's Largest Pillarless Hall inside this Pagoda.
There are also rooms available for participants in this Course.

For those going for just a day's outing, there are other attractions arounds:
1. Esselworld
2. Water Kingdom
3. Uttan beach
4. Gorai Beach
5. Manori Beach.

While returning you can take a right turn from Kashi-Mira Junction & go few kilometers towards Ahmedabad (on NH -  & have delicious food at various Dhabas.

This bring end to my first ever travelogue...

Friends please give your suggestions to improve my writing skills so that I can present my Travelogues to Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Revdanda Beach & Germany in better manner.


Thanks,