India

EasternOrder
Eastern Order of International co-Masonry was founded in 2002 in Adyar, India as a split-off of Le Droit Humain. Their website says that:

The Eastern Order of International Co-Freemasonry currently has lodges in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, India, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Spain, United States, Australia, and South Africa. Others are in the process of forming.

My guess was that Le Droit Humain would be active in India. Did not Annie Besant, the Theosophist make the star of the young LDH rise and was the Theosophical Society not large in India? A little searching brought me to the following interesting text on the website of the Grand Lodge of Freemasonry for Men and Women:

The history of Mixed Masonry previously known as Co-Masonry in anglicised countries was established by Annie Besant in England in 1902 and in India in 1904. Dr. Annie Besant established in Benares, India, a Triangle of three important people, herself, Francesca and George Arundale as a Co-Masonic Order, Le Droit Humain. This Order was firmly established by Dr. Besant in India, Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon, Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia and other countries where she was known for her work as President of The Theosophical Society.

However, due to changes in countries where government banned such organisations, Freemasonry either went underground or was eliminated. Recently Masonic Orders or obedience’s in some countries have felt the need to exam regulations imposed upon them, (or about to be imposed by their Supreme Council). Many countries where the influence of Dr. Annie Besant made differences to the education and social qualities of the poor have now re-established themselves in a new Order following the example of the Grand Lodge of Freemasonry for Men and Women.

In December 2002, at a Conference in Adyar, India, a new Order was established called The Eastern Order of International Co-Freemasonry. Ties with the Supreme Council of International Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain, were completely severed. Countries who seceded were India and New Zealand together with Lodges and individual members of America, Brazil and Costa Rica. Delegates from our Order, GLF4MW were in attendance to assist and take part in their deliberations. History is changing Masonry and we acknowledge the need for continuous reflection to the needs of members.

HFAF
Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, a women only order founded in 1913 in the UK founded a lodge in India in December 2016.  Lodge Bharati 56.

The website of Le Droit Humain International still claims a federation in India.

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *