Photos show the Tamil Nadu & Auroville region. See the retreat's own site for its rooms and grounds.
Thirumudivakkam, near Chennai airport, Tamil Nadu
Dhamma Setu Vipassana Meditation Centre
Silent 10-day Vipassana courses on Chennai’s edge
Details checked on the official site, October 2026 · We never take bookings or commissions
Dhamma Setu is a Vipassana centre in the S.N. Goenka tradition on former rice fields at Chennai’s south-western edge, about 10 km from the airport. It runs free 10-day silent residential courses for adults and short Anapana courses for children.
About 10 km from Chennai airport, on former paddy fields
Rooms for 96 men and 48 women, all with attached baths
Children’s Anapana courses alongside adult courses
Free
donation-based
- Stay
- Meals
- Meditation
Free incl. food and lodging; donations accepted only after completing a course
Courses here are free or by donation. Never pay an agent or another website to book.
Indicative. Checked on the official site, October 2026.
Before you book
Arrival
Fixed course dates only
Couples
Couples stay separately
Phones
Phones handed in
Food
Vegetarian food
Booking
Apply on their site
Taxes
Not stated: ask the retreat
Great for
- deep practice
- budget travellers
- spiritual seekers
- digital detox
Maybe not for
- Short breaks: the minimum is 11 nights
- Anyone who needs to stay reachable by phone
Good to know before you go
- Apply online for a specific course date through dhamma.org
- Phones and devices are deposited for the whole course; men and women are fully separated
- You must stay all 10 days; the course spans 12 days with arrival and departure
Programs & stays
Rooms: Double-occupancy rooms with attached baths and solar hot water; men and women in separate areas
Program names and lengths change. Check the retreat's calendar for current dates.
When to go
Best Dec–Feb. Dec–Feb is the coolest; Oct–Dec brings NE monsoon rain; Apr–Jun is very hot and humid
- Winter · Dec–Feb
Getting there
Nearest airportChennai (MAA), about 10 km
By trainChennai Central, roughly 1–1.5 hr; suburban trains reach nearer stations
- In Chennai
- ~370 km from Bengaluru, best to fly
- ~700 km from Hyderabad, best to fly
- ~1,390 km from Mumbai, best to fly
Researched from the retreat's official website and public sources. Details change, so confirm prices, dates and policies with Dhamma Setu Vipassana Meditation Centre before booking.
- Photo: Anjith Paul, Unsplash
- Photo: Yogi Madhav, Unsplash
- Photo: Sonika Agarwal, Unsplash
- Photo: Niranjan B S, Unsplash
Run Dhamma Setu Vipassana Meditation Centre? Claim this listing to correct details and answer questions as the official team.
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