THE MEANING AND PRACTICE of Theosophy remain a mystery to me. Suffice it to say that Theosophy was first established by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others in 1875. One of its co-founders was the American Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. With some others  they founded the Theosophical Society. In 1895, there was a split in the society. Blavatsky and Olcott both converted from Christianity to Buddhism and established the home of their branch of the Society in India, the birthplace of Buddha. By the way, the Theosophists welcome people of all faiths.

Blavatsky and Olcott established the headquarters of their branch of Theosophy on a plot of land close to the Adyar River in Chennai (Madras). The various buildings used by what became known as the  Adyar branch of the Society are set within a 260 acre garden known as the Huddlestone Garden. This peaceful area is rich in trees, other plants, wild birds, and other wildlife. During our visit there in January 2025, we spotted two mongooses as well as numerous squirrels and dogs.

Although I  can tell you almost nothing about the nature of Theosophy,  I  have two personal connections with it. First, my wife’s paternal grandfather,  Kisanlal Daru, was an influential member of the Bombay branch of the Adyar Theosophical Society. 

Secondly, one of our friends in England is the grandson of Peter Freeman (1888-1956). The managing director of the family’s tobacco business  in Cardiff (Wales), he was a Labour politician, and served several terms as a Member of Parliament.  In addition, he was the General Secretary of the Welsh Adyar Theosophical Society between 1922 and 1944. He was the author of a few publications about Theosophy.  According to our friend, Peter’s grandson, when Peter died, he left all of his considerable fortune to the Adyar Theosophical Society.  I would like to believe that some of this legacy has helped to make the Theosophical Society grounds at Adyar so beautiful.