Introduction

The Theosophical Society was founded initially in the United States of America as a center for discourses, discussions and enlightenment on various religions and philosophies of the world. It was established in 1857 by Henry Steel Olcott and Helena Petrovna Blavatsky in an effort to understand the truth behind all religions without their coverings of rites, rituals and superstitions.

Although the Society was originated in America, the founders decided to make their headquarters in Chennai, India and thereby, the Theosophical Society came into being on the banks of the Adyar River. The place has

a large library housing a collection of rare manuscripts, documents and literature. Named The Adyar Library and Research Center, the library was founded in 1886 by Colonel Olcott, one of the founders of the society, with just a small collection of valuable books. Which, over the years, grew into one of the world’s most important Oriental libraries with about 20,000 palm-leaf valuable manuscripts from India, Sri Lanka, China and other parts of the world, and over 250,000 printed books including some rare Latin, Chinese and Tibetan books.

You will also find a Buddhist shrine amidst a coconut grove with in the Society complex. A fairly recent construction, the shrine houses a gray sandstone statue of Buddha, with the inscription “He taught the cause of all things as also the means of cessation”. The statue depicts Buddha as the Teacher of Dharma; behind the Buddha statue is a Bodhi tree, which is believed to have been grown from a sapling from the tree under which Buddha received enlightenment. In front of the shrine is a lily tank, and adjacent to it an ancient gong.

Apart from the Buddha shrine, the estate houses the Church of St Michael and All Angels, and Bharata Samaj Temple.

Special Attributes

Home to the largest Banyan tree and one of the world's most important Oriental libraries

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Avoid wearing short or revealing clothes

Connectivity

Cars, Buses, Auto-rickshaws, Metro trains

Enjoyed by

History lovers

Exposure

You will mostly be indoors

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

Basic, plan accordingly

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

Keep your tone low, and turn your phone to silent mode.

Type of site

Theosophical society