Theosophical Society

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The Theosophical Society was formed with the core objective of Universal Brotherhood of Humanity. A world famous movement, it was initially founded on 17th November 1875 at New York by Madame H.P.Blavatsky, a clairvoyant from Russia and Colonel H.S.Olcott, a retired US Army officer. Its members were free to practice any religion and anyone wishing to serve humanity was welcome. The objective was t o search for the truth and the desire to learn about the meaning and purpose of human existence.

They believed every religion to be a divine expression of heavenly wisdom and promoted their study rather than condemnation. The three declared objectives of the Society are to form without distinction of race, creed, sex, and caste or color- a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity; to investigate the unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man and to encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and Science. The theosophical motto is based on the same line which says "There is no Religion higher than the truth".

The Society has branches in over 50 countries and in India, their international headquarters was shifted to Bombay in 1879 and then to Madras in 1882. This is now a permanent headquarter located at a place on the south bank of the Adyar River called 'Huddleston Gardens' which sprawls over 28 acre wooded land. The wooded areas and the gardens make it a nature-lover's delight. A mahogany tree avenue called Founders Avenue has trees planted with soil and seeds brought from around the world. A number of migratory birds including the pink flamingo and other forms of wild life like snakes, lizards, wild cats, jackals, mongooses and hares are also found here. Overall, Theosophical Society is an ideal place which offers something unique to the visitors in terms of a liberal and moderate approach and its virtues like service to humanity etc.