About Us
Dhamma Sindhu, meaning ‘Ocean of Dhamma’, was established in 1991 for the practice of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka.
The first Vipassana course at Dhamma Sindhu was conducted on 8th November 1991, and on 7 November 1992 a 10-day course was conducted by Venerable S.N. Goenka.
Since the centre started, it has continued to host courses for children, teenagers and adults, for durations of 3 days, 10 days and longer, including Satipatthana, 20-day, 30-day 45-day and 60 Days courses.
Location
Dhamma Sindhu is located just 1 km from the sweeping reach of the pristine shoreline of the Arabian Sea and near the small village of Bada, which is 24 km west of the historic port city of Mandvi, Kutch.
Climate
Seasonal temperatures, along with sea breezes and plenty of greenery in the campus contributes to a pleasant climate at the centre.
Generally, temperatures from November to March range between approximately 23°C to 29°C daytime and 14°C to 19°C night-time, and from April to October around 30°C to 35°C daytime (on rare occasions it may reach up to 42°C for short periods) and 22°C to 26°C night-time.
Rainfall is usually between July to August.
Center Facilities
There are 4 spacious Dhamma Halls in which meditators can sit and meditate together.
Each hall caters for a different capacity , e.g. 300 in hall no.1, 100 in hall no.2, 35 in hall no.3 and 20 in hall no.4.
A large and traditional three storied pagoda houses 184 individual cells for solitary meditation.
Accommodation at the centre is mostly self-contained units. All accommodation has solar-powered hot water facility, many have western toilets, and all have complete bedding with mosquito nets provided. Walking pathways around the centre are cemented.
Non-spicy and indigenous meals are served, and Reverse Osmosis system drinking water is provided. Boiled, filtered and chilled water is also available.
The 35-acre campus is filled with trees, vines/creepers and a flower plants/shrubs, and watered by drip irrigation system.
Facilities for Longer Courses
As Dhamma Sindhu has continued to thrive, its facilities have been recently expanded to include a newly-built complex for long courses only.
This complex is located to the west side of the earlier-established centre facilities and within the same campus.
The new construction includes lime mortar and cow dung, forming a nice fusion of traditional and modern construction materials and methods. Pathways are with paver blocks and greenery is being developed in the surroundings.
There is a separate pagoda containing 115 individual meditation cells, a Dhamma Hall where 200 meditators can meditate together, and individual en-suite rooms where meditators can stay for the duration of the course. The dining halls are spacious with a small kitchenette attached (meals are sent from the main kitchen).
The quiet location and facilities separate from the main complex offers an ideal environment for more serious meditation.
