The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai

Nature in all its glory

Cut off from the noise of the city and lying on 250 acres of woods, marshes and greenery, is the world headquarters of The Theosophical Society. Located on the banks of the Adyar estuary, it’s a place of universal brotherhood. Classic century-old buildings, the numerous gardens, the temple, mosque, Zoorastrian place of worship, the Buddhist vihara, church and the gurudwara amidst the woods are a triumph of universal love. The Adyar Library and Research Center houses a glorious collection of nearly, 19,000 rare palm and paper manuscripts of the East. Researchers from across the globe descend on this place, which also stocks over 2,00,000 books. The place is synonymous with the Adyar Banyan tree spreading over 40,000 sq ft with its prop roots hanging all around. Though it lost a little lit of its sheen when gusty winds damaged a major portion of this renowned tree, it still retains much of its old charm. A journey, into this sylvan setting has a strange invigorating influence on even ordinary mortals. Certainly, a must-see, must-experience idyllic spot for those who have lost touch with Mother Nature.