About the Centre
Dhamma Ketana (Sign of Dhamma) is one of more than 100 centres worldwide offering courses in Vipassana Meditation(external link), taught by S.N.Goenka(external link) and his assistant teachers in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
The Centre is situated on a tranquil 5.2 acre land in Cheriyanad, a village near Chengannur town, in the south Indian State of Kerala. It is located in a very peaceful and rustic environment with almost no noise disturbances, pollution and few residences in the vicinity. In spite of its apparent remoteness, the place is well connected by road and rail.
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| Entrance of the centre | The 3.1 acres low-lying back portion of the compound. |
History
Courses in Kerala started in 1993. Until September 2006 65 ten-days courses were conducted in rented sites. Over the years the demand for a proper centre grew. But only in May 2006 the land for the centre Dhamma Ketana was identified after several years of search by Kerala Vipassana Samiti.
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| The existence of this abandoned home on the site made it possible for at least one-day courses to be started without delay. On August 15 , 2006 the first-ever 1-day course was conducted. | Same building after basic renovation. | |
The first 10 day course was successfully conducted from 21.12.06 - 01.01.2007 with a strength of 7 females and 21 male students + servers. Now there is a 10 day course every month + 3 day courses + children courses. Please click on Course Schedule for details.
We have so far finished the construction of the following facilities :
- Meditation hall for approx. 45 students
- Kitchen
- Dining hall
- Renovation of the old house + adding showers and toilets
Still in progress :
- Additional accommodations for 32 males, 16 double rooms with attached showers and toilets. Finishing date is end of 2007
- Teacher accommodation
- Roads have been marked
- Dhamma Hall for 100 meditators
- Segregated residential accommodation
- Another kitchen and dininghall complex
- Office block
- The master plan also includes a Pagoda for construction in future
| The compound consists of a flat ground of 3.1 acres and a low lying portion of 2.1 acres. | |
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| The lowland has a coconut plantation and faces a vast expanse of rice paddy field. | The 3.1 acres flatland has trees ,a coconut plantation, 2 ponds and a well offering abundant fresh water |
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Kitchen in the foreground and Dininghall in the background |
Weather :
- Rainy season (monsoon): from June to October
- Hottest months: March to May (temperature between 25 and 36 deg)
- The other months are temperate: 21-33 degrees.