The Masonic Temple
Dedicated on 30 December 1939, by District Grand Master R.W. Bro. Sir G T Boag
W.Bro.P Kottaiswamy Devar
In 1915, W Bro P K Ramachandra Devar, the son of one of the Founder Members of Lodge Pandyan - W.Bro. P Kottaiswamy Devar, presented as a Gift to the Lodge nearly One and a Half Acre of valuable land for the purpose of building the Second Temple.
The present Masonic Temple stands majestically on this beautiful piece of land, so generously gifted by family members of the Zamindar of Palayampatti.
The Palayampatti Zamindar Family has been associated with the Lodge for 4 generations.
▪W.Bro. P. Kottaiswamy Devar - Founder Member
▪W.Bro. P K Ramachandra Devar - 01 Jan 1909 (I)
▪W.Bro. K S R Dasarath - 01 Aug 1932 (I)
▪W.Bro. K S D Rajendran - 01 Nov 1969 (I)
W.Bro.P K Ramachandra Devar
GIFT DEED
dated the 14th August 1915
executed by W.Bro. P K. Ramachandra Thevar, Zamindhar of Palayampatti donating 1 acre and 50 cents to Lodge Pandyan.
Know all men By these presents that M.R. Ry. P. K. Ramachandra Thevar Avergal Zamindhar of Palayampatti, residing in Madura (donor) doth, in consideration of the fact that his father M.R, Ry. Kottaisamy Thevar Avergal, late Zamindhar of Palayampatti was one of the Founders of the Madura Freemasons' Lodge, Lodge Pandyan by name numbered 2356 E.G. on tha register of the United Grand Lodge of England and was greatly interested in its prosperity ; and of the fact that the abovesaid donor, having been initiated in the same Lodge, now holds the office of the Senior Warden therein and is deeply interested in the welfare of the Lodge, hereby freely and voluntarily convey by gift unto the above said Lodge Pandyan All that piece of land belonging to the Donor and in his possession containing by Admeasurement, one acre and fifty cents, comprising Survey No. 389-E/1 measuring 6 cents ; C/1 measuring 17 cents; 94 cents in the Southern portion of Survey No. 385 C1/3, and 33 cents on the Southern portion of Survey No. 385B, situate in Thallakulam Village, Madura Taluk Ward No- 10, Madura Municipality in the Sub-District of Madura Joint Sub-Register No. 3, bounded in the South by the Periar Channel in the west by Survey No 385 C/1A in the possession of the Government, in the north by Survey No 385-C1/B & E, measuring about 1 acre and 11 cents in the possession of the donor and in the east by Survey Nos. 385A & 384 in the possession of Thirukonda Rungacharalu & Mr. W. Ross Clark respectively. To Hold the said unto and to the use of the said Lodge Pandyan, Madura absolutely. The land conveyed under this deed is valued Rupees Five Thousand.
Witness my hand this fourteenth day of August, 1915.
(Sd) P. K. RAMACHANDRA THEVAR
Attested by P.S. Ganapati lyer, High Court Vakil, Madura.
I. Muthumayandi Pillai, Medical Practitioner, Madura
Written and attested by T. Srinivasa Rao, High Court Vakil, Madura.
Registered as Document No. 1674 of 1915 in book 1, Vol. 147, Pages 320 and 321
on 18-8-1915 by Jt. Sub-Registrar III of Madura.
The Construction Of The Temple
Architect : W. Bro. L. M. Chitale
Builder : W. Bro. Ar A Shenbaga Nadar
Builder : W. Bro. A Watt
A member of Lodge Archibald Campbell, Madras, W. Bro. L. M. Chitale was born at Parashuram, Ratnagiri District, on 6th December 1893. Educated at the University College, London, he qualified as A. R. I. B. A., in 1923.
An ardent exponent of Indian Art and Architecture, he blended ancient style and modern methods. He brought forth an architectural expression which blended the grandeur of ancient Indian Architecture with the strength of modern building methods.
The Masonic Hall is a living example of the creative genius of W. Bro. L M Chitale.
W. Bro. Ar A Shenbaga Nadar and W. Bro. A Watt took up the responsibility of building the Masonic Temple as per the designs of the Architect W. Bro. L M Chitale.
It was originally budgeted to complete the building at a cost of Rs. 32,000. Due to the conscious work and excellent supervision by both W. Bro. Ar A Shenbaga Nadar and W. Bro. A Watt, the entire work was completed in all respect in 13 months within the cost of Rs. 21.000.
W. Bro. A Watt, having had rich experience in the engineering field, was ably supported by W. Bro. Ar A Shenbaga Nadar in the execution of the work to perfection.
W.Bro. Ar A Shenbaga Nadar with his rich experience in Timber and other building materials was principally involved in the systematic supervision of the works.
The Building was dedicated on 30-12-1939 by R. W. Bro. G. T Boag, District Grand Master.
Blueprints of the Original Plan for Construction of the Temple by W.Bro L M Chitale
The building has a majestic front view The main doorway is an impressive Teakwood foldable door measuring 9'-6" in height and 7'-6" in width. This is flanked by a beautiful set of pillars.
The Square & Compasses is prominently exhibited on the top of the front entrance. The ground floor has a spacious Dining Hall.
The Teakwood tables and chairs made in 1938 are still in use. The walls of the dining hall are adorned by Portraits and photographs of the eight founder members, and other prominent Brethren of Lodge Pandyan.
Adjoining the dining hall on the Eastern side is the Library, which contains very valuable Masonic Literatures and the records of the Lodge.
On the Western side of the Dining Hall is the majestic Teakwood winding staircase that leads to the Temple on the first floor.
The Temple is spacious and can accommodate as many as 100 persons. It was airconditioned in 2004.
The Lodge has a Guest Room adjacent to the winding stair-case leading to the first floor.
Freemasons Hall
Inauguration of Air Conditioned Dining Hall
View of Temple
