Vipassana in India: Meditate Deeply at Dhamma Sota and Dhamma Paphulla
Tucked away in the green folds of the Aravali Hills, Dhamma Sota stands as a peaceful refuge for those seeking clarity and silence. Meanwhile, in the southern region of India, Dhamma Paphulla, the Vipassana meditation and research centre near Bangalore, offers a similar sanctuary. Whether you’re searching for a vipassana meditation centre near me in North or South India, both locations offer paths inward — free from distraction and full of discipline.
Dhamma Sota is located 70 kilometers from New Delhi Railway Station in the village of Rahaka, Sohna. Dhamma Paphulla, meaning “Cheerfulness of Dhamma,” is nestled just outside Bangalore city, offering a quiet natural space for serious meditators. Both centres follow the teachings of S.N. Goenka and share the same schedule, structure, and donation-based values.
Dhamma Sota: The North’s Stream of Dhamma
Established in 2000, Dhamma Sota spreads across 16 acres of Aravali hillside. Accommodations are arranged for 120 students — 72 men and 48 women — all in single rooms. Some rooms include private bathrooms, while others share facilities. Meditation takes place in a spacious hall that fits 125 students and a pagoda with 108 individual cells.
The setting is intentionally simple. Every element — from architecture to silence — is designed to help you dive deep into the practice.
Dhamma Paphulla: Bangalore’s Southern Oasis
Further south, Dhamma Paphulla serves the Karnataka region as a major Vipassana hub. Located just outside Bangalore city, this meditation and research centre was built to provide a peaceful setting for serious practice. Much like Dhamma Sota, the centre offers single-room accommodations and a pagoda with private meditation cells.
Being a vipassana meditation centre near me for many residents of Southern India, Dhamma Paphulla is known for its strong schedule of bilingual 10-day courses. English and Kannada are the main instructional languages, making it accessible to locals and travelers alike.
How to Apply for a Course
Whether you’re applying to Dhamma Sota or Dhamma Paphulla, the application process is the same:
- Select your centre and choose your preferred course from the schedule.
- Complete the application form with all required fields. Incomplete forms are rejected.
- Wait for confirmation — this may take up to two weeks.
- Confirm your spot promptly once accepted.
Courses are open to new students and returning “old students” who’ve already completed a 10-day course.
Course Schedules
Both centres follow a rolling calendar of 10-day courses throughout the year. Here’s an overview of the schedule for Dhamma Sota (Delhi region):
2025 Ten-Day Courses Overview
| Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 May – 18 May | 10-Day | Completed | Delhi | – |
| 21 May – 01 Jun | 10-Day | In Progress | Delhi | – |
| 04 Jun – 15 Jun | 10-Day | Women Full, Men Full | Delhi | Servers – Waitlist |
| 18 Jun – 29 Jun | 10-Day | Women Full, Men Full | Delhi | Servers – Waitlist |
| 02 Jul – 13 Jul | 10-Day | Women Full, Men Full | Delhi | Servers – Open |
| 16 Jul – 27 Jul | 10-Day | Men Full, Women Waitlist | Delhi | Servers – Open |
| 06 Aug – 17 Aug | 10-Day | Opens 06 Jun | Delhi | – |
| 20 Aug – 31 Aug | 10-Day | Opens 20 Jun | Delhi | – |
| 03 Sep – 14 Sep | 10-Day | Opens 03 Jul | Delhi | – |
| 17 Sep – 28 Sep | 10-Day | Opens 17 Jul | Delhi | – |
| 01 Oct – 12 Oct | 10-Day | Opens 01 Aug | Delhi | – |
| 15 Oct – 26 Oct | 10-Day | Opens 15 Aug | Delhi | – |
| 05 Nov – 16 Nov | 10-Day | Opens 05 Sep | Delhi | – |
| 19 Nov – 30 Nov | 10-Day | Opens 19 Sep | Delhi | – |
| 03 Dec – 14 Dec | 10-Day | Opens 03 Oct | Delhi | – |
| 17 Dec – 28 Dec | 10-Day | Opens 17 Oct | Delhi | – |
2026 Ten-Day Courses Overview
| Dates | Course Type | Applications Open | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Jan – 18 Jan | 10-Day | 07 Nov | Delhi |
| 21 Jan – 01 Feb | 10-Day | 21 Nov | Delhi |
| 04 Feb – 15 Feb | 10-Day | 04 Dec | Delhi |
| 18 Feb – 01 Mar | 10-Day | 18 Dec | Delhi |
| 04 Mar – 15 Mar | 10-Day | 04 Jan | Delhi |
| 18 Mar – 29 Mar | 10-Day | 18 Jan | Delhi |
| 01 Apr – 12 Apr | 10-Day | 01 Feb | Delhi |
| 15 Apr – 26 Apr | 10-Day | 15 Feb | Delhi |
| 06 May – 17 May | 10-Day | 06 Mar | Delhi |
| 20 May – 31 May | 10-Day | 20 Mar | Delhi |
| 03 Jun – 14 Jun | 10-Day | 03 Apr | Delhi |
| 17 Jun – 28 Jun | 10-Day | 17 Apr | Delhi |
| 01 Jul – 12 Jul | 10-Day | 01 May | Delhi |
| 15 Jul – 26 Jul | 10-Day | 15 May | Delhi |
| 05 Aug – 16 Aug | 10-Day | 05 Jun | Delhi |
| 19 Aug – 30 Aug | 10-Day | 19 Jun | Delhi |
| 02 Sep – 13 Sep | 10-Day | 02 Jul | Delhi |
| 16 Sep – 27 Sep | 10-Day | 16 Jul | Delhi |
| 07 Oct – 18 Oct | 10-Day | 07 Aug | Delhi |
| 21 Oct – 01 Nov | 10-Day | 21 Aug | Delhi |
| 04 Nov – 15 Nov | 10-Day | 04 Sep | Delhi |
| 18 Nov – 29 Nov | 10-Day | 18 Sep | Delhi |
| 02 Dec – 13 Dec | 10-Day | 02 Oct | Delhi |
| 16 Dec – 27 Dec | 10-Day | 16 Oct | Delhi |
Vipassana Philosophy and Support
Courses at both Dhamma Sota and Dhamma Paphulla are completely donation-based. Teachers, staff, and organizers volunteer their time. This ensures no commercial interests influence the experience, and everyone — regardless of means — has access to the technique.
Returning students may also serve during courses, contributing to kitchen duties, management, or student support. It’s a unique way to give back while deepening personal practice.
So whether you’re in Delhi or Bangalore, and searching online for a vipassana meditation centre near me, know that both Dhamma Sota and Dhamma Paphulla offer the same gateway inward — a silent space to observe, learn, and transform.
