Dhamma Tapovana-1, meaning Meditation Grove of Dhamma, was established on New Year's Day morning of year 2000, when Goenkaji and Mataji meditated with a few Vipassana students on the land adjacent to the southern side of Dhamma Giri. Thus was born one of the most significant projects for the teaching of Dhamma: a meditation Centre exclusively for long courses. In two years, this barren land developed quickly enough to successfully hold the historic first ever 60-day course from January 2 to March 4, 2002.

Dhamma Tapovana-1 is also one of the three projects commemorating the birth centenary of Sayagyi U Ba Khin (the other two projects being the Global Pagoda in Mumbai, and the Sayagyi U Ba Khin Village adjacent to Dhamma Giri)

Presently, around 12 courses are being held annually, including 20-day, 30-day, 45-day and the annual 60-day course. In 2003, a ten-day course in Mandarin was held for business executives who flew in from Taiwan and China, along with Chinese assistant teachers, Chinese Dhamma servers, and a Chinese chef. A separate course for executives and students from Korea was also arranged during this time.

The Centre has a total of 141 spacious cottages, with attached baths. These residences for meditators have no common wall, thereby making them completely isolated from each other. Two smaller Dhamma halls are used for discourses. The Principal Teachers' Residence for Goenkaji and Mataji is adjacent to the main Dhamma Hall.

The Pagoda, of the same height as the Dhamma Giri Pagoda (55 feet), has 200 cells. During courses, Dhamma Tapovana-1 is sealed off from Dhamma Giri - three pathways connect the two Centres. A small van ferries meals from the Dhamma Giri kitchen.

A large number of fruit trees as well as decorative trees have been planted from time to time making its environment serene and lush green. Spacious walking areas are allocated away from the residences.

Heat pumps and solar panels are installed to provide meditators with hot water. Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) purified drinking water is provided to meditators. Hot/Cold water is provided through PPR pipes.

Future Projects –

It is planned to provide screen doors to each residence which will provide better ventilation in summer as well as protection from mosquitoes and other insects.

Every room has been provided with an exhaust fan which helps to cool down the room and ceiling during summer months.