Jiddu Krishnamurti 1895-1986
Jiddu Krishnamurti and Adyar
Adyar > Chennai > Madras > India
Adyar (or Adayar) is a large neighborhood south of Chennai (widely known as Madras till 1996) in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is located on the southern banks of the Adyar River which joins into the Adyar Creek
Chennai is the fourth largest city in India - pop 7 million in 2007
Temperature is in winter min 20 °C summer max 37 °C
The Theosophical Society headquarters at Adyar
in Madras (Chennai), India
Across the river is the Huddlestone mansion. This mansion belonged to a civilian named John Huddlestone in the days of the British Raj. The mansion, with its extended gardens, used to occupy a large area around the river.
Later, a part of this garden was given to the Theosophical Society, founded by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in 1875. The headquarters of the society is now spread over 100 acres in the green leafy garden. In 1879, Madame Blavatsky visited Chennai and the headquarters was set up here. The library of the Theosophical Society has a splendid collection of over 15,000 manuscripts. The 200- year-old Banyan tree, with its limbs spread over 40,000 sq. ft is a major attraction of the Society.
It was in April of 1909, that Jiddu Krishnamurti was encountered by prominent occultist and high-ranking theosophist C.W. Leadbeater, who claimed clairvoyance. During his forays to the Theosophical estate's private beach at the adjuting Adyar river, Leadbeater had noticed Krishnamurti (who also frequented the beach with others), and was amazed by the "most wonderful aura he had ever seen, without a particle of selfishness in it". This strong impression was notwithstanding Krishnamurti's outward appearance, which, according to eyewitnesses, was pretty common, unimpressive, and unkempt. The boy was also considered "particularly dim-witted"; he often had "a vacant expression" that "gave him an almost moronic look".Leadbeater remained "unshaken" that the boy would become a great teacher...
Today, IIT Madras, one of the top technical institutes in the world and Anna University, one of the best universities in India is situated near Adyar. Adyar is also home to the Central Leather Research Institute, the world's largest leather research institute and the Adyar Cancer Institute.
Krishnamurti - philosophy Adyar Madras Chennai, India.