Plot 1 · Borivali, Mumbai Suburban District
A 66.4-metre landmark Buddha statue, 1,000-seat Meditation Hall, and Youth Education facility — the Buddhist Circuit Gateway for Maharashtra.
Maharashtra holds more Buddhist heritage sites than any other Indian state, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, yet has no iconic landmark of Buddhist devotion in its financial capital. This Centre — anchored by a 66.4-metre Buddha statue, the first of its kind in Mumbai — is designed to be that landmark: a destination that draws international pilgrims, inspires domestic visitors, and launches the Buddhist Circuit journey across the State.
Maharashtra holds more Buddhist heritage sites than any other Indian state — including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Ajanta & Ellora) — yet has no dedicated Buddhist Circuit under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and no iconic landmark of Buddhist devotion in its financial capital. This project is the missing anchor: a 66.4-metre Buddha statue and Heritage Centre that puts Maharashtra on the international Buddhist pilgrimage map, at zero cost to the Government.
Bihar's newly completed reclining Buddha (30 m, Bodh Gaya, 2025) became an immediate "centre of attraction" drawing visitors from across the country within weeks of opening. Indian audiences respond to scale and newness — a newly built monumental statue generates news coverage, social media virality, and mass domestic pilgrimage interest that ancient sites cannot replicate.
TripAdvisor reviews of Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya use the words "awe-inspiring," "breathtaking," "one of the best statues of my life," and "must visit." Non-Buddhist Western visitors report a profound emotional response to sheer scale. Three distinct international groups are drawn: Buddhist pilgrims from SE & East Asia, Western spiritual seekers, and cultural heritage tourists — all motivated by the visual impact of a large, newly constructed landmark.
Leshan Giant Buddha (China): 2.3–2.8 million visitors/year. Maitreya Project (India): projected to create thousands of direct construction jobs and transform the economic profile of Bihar. Comparable projects globally demonstrate that a large new Buddha statue in a state capital becomes the highest-revenue single cultural tourism asset within 5–10 years of opening.
Truly awe-inspiring experience — the sheer size and intricate details are breathtaking. One of the best statues of my life.
The statue stands peacefully in a green and calm environment, giving a deep sense of peace and spirituality. A must-visit when travelling to the area.
Notable for its fusion of natural spectacle and spiritual harmony — it calls for both tourists and spirituality seekers. Unmissable.
| Project Component | Central Government Scheme | Maharashtra Policy 2024 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66.4-metre Buddha Statue + Plaza | Swadesh Darshan 2.0 — Buddhist Circuit landmark node | Spiritual Tourism Thrust Sector | Direct Alignment |
| 1,000-seat Meditation Hall | Wellness Tourism National Strategy; PRASHAD | Wellness Tourism Thrust Sector | Direct Alignment |
| Monk Training Residential | Buddhist pilgrimage infrastructure — SD 2.0 | Spiritual Tourism; Institutional Tourism Investment | Aligned |
| Youth Ethics Programme | NEP 2020 — Values-based education; MoE | Education tourism; Youth development | Aligned |
| Land Lease (nominal rate) | — | Maharashtra Land Revenue Rules, Rule 7(1) — Re. 1/year for religious/charitable; Jain Org. precedent (March 2024) | Precedent Exists |
The Trust respectfully requests the Hon'ble Member of Parliament to facilitate an approach to the relevant Union Minister(s) for a formal Letter of Support addressed to the Maharashtra State Government, confirming the project's alignment with national Buddhist Circuit, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, and wellness tourism priorities.
This letter commits no Central Government funds or approvals. It serves solely as a policy endorsement that the State Government may reference in its land-lease decision. The project itself is entirely self-funded by Dhammacakka Foundation Trust, backed by Dhammakaya Foundation, Thailand (80+ countries · UN NGO Consultative Status since 1986).
Every component of the Kanheri Centre is directly eligible under Companies Act 2013, Schedule VII. Indian companies contributing to this project co-own its legacy as a national cultural, educational, and tourism landmark — while fulfilling statutory CSR obligations under verified Schedule VII categories.
The Centre preserves and promotes Buddhist heritage and living culture through a dedicated Thai Buddhist Library housing the Pali Canon and canonical commentaries in Thai translation — the most complete Buddhist textual tradition outside Pali, unavailable elsewhere in Mumbai. The 66.4-metre Buddha statue itself is a monumental work of Buddhist art and a landmark of national heritage significance.
| CSR-Fundable Infrastructure | What It Does |
|---|---|
| 66.4-Metre Buddha Statue | Monumental Buddhist art and national heritage landmark; open to all visitors |
| Thai Buddhist Library | Curated collection of Tipitaka, Atthakatha, and canonical literature in Thai translation — the only such reference library in Mumbai |
| Ceremonial Plaza | Public space for Buddhist festivals, cultural events, and community gatherings |
Four distinct education programmes run from the Centre, all eligible under Clause (ii): Youth Weekend Programme (age 13+): schools and universities bring student groups for Friday-to-Sunday residential ethics and mindfulness sessions. Corporate Mindfulness Training: structured programmes for company groups to improve focus, reduce workplace stress, and strengthen organisational culture. Train the Trainer: male participants aged 15–40 undergo ordination and residential study, qualifying as certified mindfulness and ethics instructors with Thai language and Buddhist cultural studies. Thai Language & Culture Programme: open to all members of the public; resident Thai teachers deliver language instruction integrated with Buddhist cultural context.
| CSR-Fundable Infrastructure | What It Supports |
|---|---|
| Dhamma Hall & Classrooms | Residential programme space for all group education programmes |
| Dormitory Accommodation | On-site lodging for overnight programme participants — schools, corporates, Train the Trainer residents |
| Thai Buddhist Library | Integrated reading resource for language students; Thai-language general and Dhamma titles reinforcing vocabulary development across levels |
Evidence-based mindfulness practice reduces chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout. Group meditation retreats embedded within the training programmes deliver measurable preventive mental health benefits to participants from schools, universities, and corporations.
| CSR-Fundable Infrastructure | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Meditation Hall | Dedicated silent practice space integrated into all group training programmes |
The development area contains no existing large trees. Under Indian Forest Act requirements, the Trust will undertake compensatory afforestation — resulting in a net increase of forest cover. A Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system ensures that no wastewater is released into the surrounding SGNP forest environment.
| CSR-Fundable Infrastructure | Environmental Benefit |
|---|---|
| Compensatory Afforestation Zone | Mandatory reforestation programme creating net-positive forest cover adjacent to Sanjay Gandhi National Park |
| Zero Liquid Discharge System | On-site water treatment and recycling; zero wastewater discharge into protected forest ecosystem |
To discuss CSR contribution options for Plot 1
Contact Us — CSR PartnershipFull specifications: site area, building programme, construction phasing, architect information, and project timeline will be added here.
This section will cover: what interns will work on, duration, eligible fields of study, accommodation, stipend, and how to apply.