Theosophical Society

Organization advancing theosophical thought

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Part of a series on

Theosophy

There Is No Religion Higher Than Truth

Founders

* Helena Blavatsky
* William Quan Judge
* Henry Steel Olcott

Theosophists

* Annie Besant
* Isabel Cooper-Oakley
* Robert Crosbie
* Abner Doubleday
* Geoffrey Hodson
* Raghavan N. Iyer
* Wassily Kandinsky
* Archibald Keightley
* C. W. Leadbeater
* G. R. S. Mead
* Arthur E. Powell
* James Morgan Pryse
* Subba Row
* William Scott-Elliot
* Alfred Percy Sinnett
* Rudolf Steiner
* Brian Stonehouse
* Katherine Tingley
* Ernest Wood

Concepts

* Root races
* Seven rays
* Theosophical mysticism

Organizations

* Theosophical Society
* Theosophical Society Adyar
* Theosophical Society in America
* Theosophical Society in America (Hargrove)
* Theosophical Society Pasadena
* Theosophical Society Point Loma - Blavatskyhouse
* United Lodge of Theosophists

Texts

* At the Feet of the Master
* Book of Dzyan
* Esoteric Buddhism
* Isis Unveiled
* The Key to Theosophy
* The Secret Doctrine
* Theosophical Glossary
* The Voice of the Silence

Publications

* Lucifer
* Sunrise
* The Theosophist

Masters

* Kuthumi
* Maitreya
* Master Hilarion
* Master Jesus
* Morya
* St. Germain

Comparative

* Buddhism and Theosophy
* Christianity and Theosophy
* Hinduism and Theosophy
* Theosophy and literature
* Theosophy and visual arts
* Theosophy and Western philosophy

Related

* Agni Yoga
* Alice Bailey
* Anthroposophy
* Ascended Master Teachings
* Esotericism
* Gnosticism
* Hermeticism
* Jiddu Krishnamurti
* Liberal Catholic Church
* Masters of the Ancient Wisdom
* Mysticism
* Neo-Theosophy
* Neoplatonism
* New Age
* Occultism
* Order of the Star in the East
* Perennial philosophy
* Plane (esotericism)

* v
* t
* e

The Theosophical Society is the organizational body of Theosophy, an esoteric new religious movement. It was founded in New York City, U.S.A. in 1875. Among its founders were Helena Blavatsky, a Russian mystic and the principal thinker of the Theosophy movement, and Henry Steel Olcott, the society's first president. It draws upon a wide array of influences, among them older European philosophies and movements such as Neoplatonism and occultism, as well as parts of eastern religious traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.[1][2]

The founders described "Theosophy" as the synthesis of science, religion and philosophy. It notes that the purpose of human life is spiritual emancipation and the human soul undergoes reincarnation upon bodily death according to a process of karma, referring to the principles from Indian religions. Around 1880, Blavatsky and Olcott moved to India, and the organization split into the Theosophical Society (Adyar, India) and the Theosophical Society (Pasadena, California).

## Locations

[edit]

The original organization, after splits and realignments, currently[update] has several successors.[3] Following the death of Helena Blavatsky, competition emerged between factions within the Society, particularly among founding members.

The organization split into the India-based Theosophical Society Adyar (Olcott-Besant) and the California-based Theosophical Society Pasadena (Judge). The former group, headquartered in India, is the most widespread international group holding the name "Theosophical Society" today.

Theosophical Society-Adyar is located at Adyar situated in the Indian city of Chennai.[4]

## History

[edit]

### Formation and objectives

[edit]

Notes of the meeting proposing the formation of the Theosophical Society, New York City, September 8, 1875 The Society's seal incorporated the Swastika, Star of David, Ankh, Aum and Ouroboros symbols

The Theosophical Society was officially formed in New York City, United States, on November 17, 1875, by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, William Quan Judge, and 16 others.[5] It was self-described as "an unsectarian body of seekers after Truth, who endeavor to promote Brotherhood and strive to serve humanity." Olcott was its first president, and remained president until his death in 1907. In the early months of 1875, Olcott and Judge had come to believe that, if Blavatsky was a spiritualist, she was no ordinary one.[6] The society's initial objective was the "study and elucidation of Occultism, the Cabala etc."[7] After a few years Olcott and Blavatsky moved to India and established the International Headquarters at Adyar, in Madras (now Chennai). They were also interested in studying Eastern religions, and these were included in the Society's agenda.[8]

After several iterations the Society's objectives were incorporated at Chennai (Madras) on April 3, 1905. The Three Objects of the Theosophical Society are as follows :[9]

>   1. To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour.
>   2. To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science.
>   3. To investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man.

Sympathy with the above objects was the sole condition of admission to the society. The Society was organized as a non-sectarian entity. The following was stated in the Constitution and Rules of the Theosophical Society

> ARTICLE I: Constitution

>   4. The Theosophical Society is absolutely unsectarian, and no assent to any formula of belief, faith or creed shall be required as a qualification of membership; but every applicant and member must lie in sympathy with the effort to create the nucleus of an Universal Brotherhood of Humanity

> ...

> ARTICLE XIII Offences

>   1. Any Fellow who shall in any way attempt to involve the Society in political disputes shall be immediately expelled.
>   2. No Fellow, Officer, or Council of the Theosophical Society, or of any Section or Branch thereof, shall promulgate or maintain any doctrin[e ]as being that advanced, or advocated by the Society.[10]

The Society reformulated this view in a resolution passed by the General Council of the Theosophical Society on December 23, 1924.[11] Three years before, in 1921, it was signed the institutive charter of the Spanish Sociedad Teosófica, which had local branches in Madrid, Tarrasa, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Alicante, Zanoni, Cadiz and Dharma.[12]

Seal of the Theosophical Society, Budapest, Hungary

###  Hidden Masters

[edit]

One of the central philosophical tenets promoted by the Society was the complex doctrine of The Intelligent Evolution of All Existence, occurring on a cosmic scale, incorporating both the physical and non-physical aspects of the known and unknown Universe, and affecting all of its constituent parts regardless of apparent size or importance. The theory was originally promulgated in the Secret Doctrine, the 1888 magnum opus of Helena Blavatsky.[13] According to this view, humanity's evolution on earth (and beyond) is part of the overall cosmic evolution. It is overseen by a hidden spiritual hierarchy, the so-called Masters of the Ancient Wisdom, whose upper echelons consist of advanced spiritual beings.

Blavatsky portrayed the Theosophical Society as being part of one of many attempts throughout the millennia by this hidden Hierarchy to guide humanity – in concert with the overall intelligent cosmic evolutionary scheme – towards its ultimate, immutable evolutionary objective: the attainment of perfection and the conscious, willing participation in the evolutionary process. These attempts require an earthly infrastructure (such as the Theosophical Society) which she held was ultimately under the inspiration of a number of Mahatmas, members of the Hierarchy.[14]

### Schisms

[edit]

Main building of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, India, 1890

After Helena Blavatsky's death in 1891, the society's leaders seemed at first to work together peacefully. This did not last long. Judge was accused by Olcott and then prominent Theosophist Annie Besant of forging letters from the Mahatmas; he ended his association with Olcott and Besant in 1895 and took most of the Society's American Section with him. The original organization led by Olcott and Besant is based in India and is known as the Theosophical Society – Adyar. The group led by Judge further splintered, after his 1896 death, into a faction led by Katherine Tingley, and another associated with Judge's secretary Ernest Temple Hargrove which split off in 1898. While Hargrove's faction no longer survives, the faction led by Tingley is known as the Theosophical Society with the clarifying statement, "International Headquarters, Pasadena, California". A third organization, the United Lodge of Theosophists or ULT, in 1909 split off from the latter organization.

In 1902, Rudolf Steiner became general secretary of the German-Austrian division of the Theosophical Society. He maintained a Western-oriented course, relatively independent from the Adyar headquarters.[15][16] After serious philosophical conflicts with Annie Besant and other members of the international leadership on the spiritual significance of Christ and on the status of the young boy Jiddu Krishnamurti (see section below), most of the German and Austrian members split off in 1913 and under Steiner's leadership formed the Anthroposophical Society, which then expanded to many other countries.[17]

The English headquarters of the Theosophical Society are at 50 Gloucester Place, London. Which is now no longer active. The Theosophical Society in Ireland [3], based in Pembroke Road, Dublin, is a wholly independent organisation which claims to have received its charter directly from Helena Blavatsky. The original group contained (among others) George William Russell (A. E.) poet and mystic, and the leadership role later fell to Russell's friend P. G. Bowen, (author and teacher of practical occultism) and later still to Bowen's long time student Dorothy Emerson. The leadership of this group were students of Emerson. The independent Dublin organisation should not be confused with a similarly named group affiliated to Adyar which is based in Belfast but claims an all-Ireland jurisdiction.

## "World Teacher"

[edit]

Theosophical Society, Basavanagudi, Bangalore, India

In addition to the stated objectives, as early as 1889 Blavatsky publicly declared that the purpose of establishing the Society was to prepare humanity for the reception of a World Teacher: according to the Theosophical doctrine described above, a manifested aspect of an advanced spiritual entity (the Maitreya) that periodically appears on Earth in order to direct the evolution of humankind. The mission of these reputedly regularly appearing emissaries is to practically translate, in a way and language understood by contemporary humanity, the knowledge required to propel it to a higher evolutionary stage.

> If the present attempt, in the form of our Society, succeeds better than its predecessors have done, then it will be in existence as an organized, living and healthy body when the time comes for the effort of the 20th century. The general condition of men's minds and hearts will have been improved and purified by the spread of its teachings, and, as I have said, their prejudices and dogmatic illusions will have been, to some extent at least, removed. Not only so, but besides a large and accessible literature ready to men's hands, the next impulse will find a numerous and united body of people ready to welcome the new torch-bearer of Truth. He will find the minds of men prepared for his message, a language ready for him in which to clothe the new truths he brings, an organization awaiting his arrival, which will remove the merely mechanical, material obstacles and difficulties from his path. Think how much one, to whom such an opportunity is given, could accomplish. Measure it by comparison with what the Theosophical Society actually has achieved in the last fourteen years, without any of these advantages and surrounded by hosts of hindrances which would not hamper the new leader.[18]

This was repeated by then prominent Theosophist Annie Besant in 1896, five years after Blavatsky's death.[19] Besant, who became President of the Society in 1907, thought the appearance of the World Teacher would happen sooner than the time-frame in Blavatsky's writings, who had indicated that it would not take place until the last quarter of the 20th century.[20]

###  Jiddu Krishnamurti

[edit]

Main article: Jiddu Krishnamurti

One of the people who expected the imminent reappearance of the Maitreya as World Teacher was Charles Webster Leadbeater, then an influential Theosophist and occultist. In 1909 he "discovered" Jiddu Krishnamurti, an adolescent Indian boy, who he proclaimed as the most suitable candidate for the "vehicle" of the World Teacher.[21][22] Krishnamurti's family had relocated next to the Theosophical Society headquarters in Adyar, India, a few months earlier.[23] Following his "discovery", Krishnamurti was taken under the wing of the Society, and was extensively groomed in preparation for his expected mission.

However, by 1925 Krishnamurti had begun to move away from the course expected of him by the leaders of the Theosophical Society Adyar and by many Theosophists. In 1929 he publicly dissolved the Order of the Star, a worldwide organization created by the leadership of the Theosophical Society to prepare the world for the Coming of the Maitreya, and abandoned his assumed role as the "vehicle" for the World Teacher.[24] He eventually left the Theosophical Society altogether, yet remained on friendly terms with individual members of the Society.[25] He spent the rest of his life traveling the world as an independent speaker, becoming widely known as an original thinker on spiritual, philosophical, and psychological subjects.

## Related individuals and organizations

[edit]

Commemorative plaque of Theosophical Society, Adyar, India

Well-known intellectuals associated with the Theosophical Society include Thomas Edison,[26] William Butler Yeats,[27] Giustiniano Lebano[28][29] and Laura Carter Holloway.[30]

## See also

[edit]

* Ascended Master Teachings
* Christian theosophy
* Religion and mythology
* Theosophical mysticism
* Universal brotherhood

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Dixon 2001, p. 4.
2. ^ Campbell 1980, pp. 72, 196.
3. ^ Melton, Gordon J. (Sr. ed.) (1990). "Theosophical Society". New Age Encyclopedia. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Gale Research. pp. 458–461. ISBN 0-8103-7159-6. "No single organization or movement has contributed so many components to the New Age Movement as the Theosophical Society. ... It has been the major force in the dissemination of occult literature in the West in the twentieth century." In same, see sections "Theosophy" and "Theosophical Offshoots", pp. xxv–xxvi [in "Introductory Essay: An Overview of the New Age Movement"]. Note "Chronology of the New Age Movement" pp. xxxv–xxxviii in same work, starts with the formation of the Theosophical Society in 1875.
4. ^ "Theosophical Society International Headquarters, Adyar Chennai Visit, Travel Guide". medium.com. June 19, 2019. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
5. ^ Syman, Stefanie (2010). The Subtle Body : the Story of Yoga in America. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-0-374-53284-0. OCLC 456171421.
6. ^ The Theosophical Movement 1875–1950, Cunningham Press, Los Angeles 1951.
7. ^ See photographic reproduction of the notes to the meeting proposing the formation of the Theosophical Society, New York City, September 8, in the image from Wikimedia Commons.
8. ^ Kirby, W. F. (January 1885). "The Theosophical Society". Time XII (1): 47–55 (London: Swan Sonnenschein; OCLC 228708807). Google Books Search retrieved January 12, 2011. Profile by the entomologist and folklorist William Forsell Kirby.
9. ^ "Missions, Objectives and Freedom". T S Adyar. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
10. ^ Olcott, H. S. (January 1891). "Constitution and Rules of the Theosophical Society". The Theosophist 12 (4): 65–72. (Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House). ISSN 0040-5892. "As Revised in Session of the General Council, all the Sections being represented, at Adyar, December 27, 1890".
11. ^ "About the TS" Archived May 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine [see section "Freedom of Thought"]. ts-adyar.org. Adyar: Theosophical Society Adyar. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
12. ^ Aguiar Bobet, Valeria (October 16, 2016). "Orientalist soldiers: Theosophy and Freemasonry in North Africa during Second Spanish Republic" (PDF). Rehmlac: Revista de Estudios Históricos de la Masonería Latinoamericana y Caribeña (in Spanish and English): 99. doi:10.15517/rehmlac.v8i2.26648. hdl:10234/165932. ISSN 1659-4223. OCLC 8521647527. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2021 – via archive.is. `{{cite journal}}`: External link in ``|via=`` (help)
13. ^ Blavatsky, Helena (1888). "The Three Postulates of the Secret Doctrine". The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy. Vol. I: Cosmogenesis Archived October 19, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. London et al.: The Theosophical Publishing Company et al., 1888 (OCLC 8129381), pp. 14–20 [in "Proem"]. Reprint Phoenix, Arizona: United Lodge of Theosophists, 2005. Electronic version retrieved January 29, 2011. "This electronic version of The Secret Doctrine follows the pagination and style of the A FACSIMILE OF THE ORIGINAL EDITION OF 1888" (webpage editor's description). Also in same, see "The pith and marrow of the Secret Doctrine". pp. 273–285 (in "Summing Up").
14. ^ Blavatsky 1888. "Our Divine Instructors". The Secret Doctrine. Vol. II: Anthropogenesis Archived September 3, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, pp. 365–378. Phoenix, Arizona: United Lodge of Theosophists, 2005. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
15. ^ Rudolf Steiner's book Theosophy, An Introduction to Supersensible Knowledge of the World and the Destination of Man (published in German as Theosophie. Einführung in übersinnliche Welterkenntnis und Menschenbestimmung), first appeared in 1904 ([1]).
16. ^ Rudolf Steiner, Theosophy of the Rosicrucian, lectures given in 1907 ([2]).
17. ^ Paull, John (2018) The Library of Rudolf Steiner: The Books in English Archived May 25, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Journal of Social and Development Sciences. 9 (3): 21–46.
18. ^ Blavatsky, Helena (1889). "The Future of the Theosophical Society" Archived 2019-05-08 at the Wayback Machine. The Key to Theosophy. London: The Theosophical Publishing Company. pp. 304–307 [context at pp. 306-307. Emphasis in original]. OCLC 315695318. Wheaton, Maryland: Theosophy Library Online. Retrieved 2011-01-29. "Scanned Reproduction from a Photographic Reproduction of the Original Edition as First Issued at London, England: 1889".
19. ^ Lutyens, Mary (1975). Krishnamurti: The Years of Awakening. New York: Farrar Straus and Giroux. p. 12. ISBN 0-374-18222-1.
20. ^ Blavatsky 1889 p. 306 Archived May 8, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. Wheaton, Maryland: Theosophy Library Online. Blavatsky, Helena (1966). "Esoteric Instructions (EI): The Esoteric Section: Introduction by the Compiler" Archived May 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Collected Writings. Series. Volume XII. Wheaton, Illinois: Quest Books Archived February 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. pp. 478–511 [context at p. 492]. ISBN 978-0-8356-0228-0. Groningen, Netherlands: katinkahesselink.net. Links retrieved January 29, 2011.
21. ^ Washington, Peter (1995) [Originally published 1993]. "Boys and Gods". Madame Blavatsy's Baboon: A History of the Mystics, Mediums, and Misfits Who Brought Spiritualism to America. New York: Schocken Books. Hardcover. pp. 126–144. ISBN 978-0-8052-4125-9.
22. ^ Lutyens pp. 20-21.
23. ^ Lutyens p. 7.
24. ^ Jiddu, Krishnamurti (1929). "Order of the Star Dissolution Speech" Archived August 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. J. Krishnamurti Online. Krishnamurti Foundations. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
25. ^ Lutyens pp. 276, 285. Krishnamurti left the Society in 1931; Lutyens considered the "last tie" severed with the death of Besant in 1933.
26. ^ "Theosophical Society Members 1875-1942 – Historical membership list of the Theosophical Society (Adyar) 1875-1942". tsmembers.org. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
27. ^ "William Butler Yeats". britannica.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
28. ^ "October 2019 Spotlight" (PDF). Wordtrade. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
29. ^ "L'ermetismo kremmerziano". corsodireligione.it.
30. ^ Sasson, Diane (2012). Yearning for the New Age: Laura Holloway-Langford and Late Victorian Spirituality. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-00177-1.

### Bibliography

[edit]

* Campbell, Bruce F. (1980). Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical Movement. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520039681.
* Carlson, Maria (1993). No Religion Higher than Truth: A History of the Theosophical Movement in Russia, 1875–1922. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691636337.
* Chajes, Julie (2017). "Reincarnation in H.P. Blavatsky's The Secret Doctrine". Correspondences: An Online Journal for the Academic Study of Western Esotericism. 5: 65–93.
* Dixon, Joy (2001). Divine Feminine: Theosophy and Feminism in England. The Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-6499-2.
* Faivre, Antoine (1994). Access to Western Esotericism. SUNY Series in Western Esoteric Traditions. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
* Faivre, Antoine (2000). Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition: Studies in Western Esotericism. SUNY Press. p. 12\. ISBN 9780791444368.
* Franklin, J. Jeffrey (2018). Spirit Matters: Occult Beliefs, Alternative Religions, and the Crisis of Faith in Victorian Britain. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9781501715440.
* Gardell, Matthias (2003). Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism. Durham and London: Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-8223-3071-4.
* Godwin, Joscelyn (1994). The Theosophical Enlightenment. Albany: State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0791421512.
* Godwin, Joscelyn (1994b). "Foreword". In K. Paul Johnson (ed.). The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and the Myth of the Great White Lodge. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. xv–xix. ISBN 978-0791420645.
* Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas (2004). Helena Blavatsky. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books. ISBN 978-1-55643-457-0.

## External links

[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Theosophical Society.

* Theosophical Society Headquarters
* The Theosophical Society in England
* The Theosophical Society in America
* A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom (PDF).
* Beginnings of the Theosophical Society.
* Blavatsky and The Theosophical Society.
*   * Theosophical Society Pasadena.
* Skeptics Dictionary: entry on Theosophy.
* The Theosophical Network.
* Kerala Theosophical Federation.
* The Theosophical Society in Ireland

### Video

[edit]

* "The Theosophical Society in America: An Illustrated History"

* v
* t
* e

Theosophy

Theosophical Society founders|

* Helena Blavatsky
* William Quan Judge
* Henry Steel Olcott

People|

* Rukmini Devi Arundale
* Alice Bailey
* Annie Besant
* Walter Evans-Wentz
* Jinarajadasa
* Bertram Keightley
* Jiddu Krishnamurti
* C. W. Leadbeater
* Arthur E. Powell
* Gottfried de Purucker
* Helena Roerich
* Nicholas Roerich
* A. P. Sinnett
* Johan van Manen
* Constance Wachtmeister
* W. B. Yeats
* More...

Theosophical texts|

* Isis Unveiled
* The Key to Theosophy
* The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett
* The Secret Doctrine
* Theosophical Glossary
* The Voice of the Silence
* More...

Philosophical concepts|

* Akashic records
* Astral body
* Astral plane
* Astral projection
* Mental body
* More...

Institutions|

* Blavatsky Lodge
* Theosophical Society
* Theosophical Society Adyar
* Theosophical Society Pasadena
* United Lodge of Theosophists
* More...

Publications|

* Lucifer
* Sunrise
* The Theosophist
* The Theosophical Movement
* More...

In relation to ...|

* Buddhism
* Christianity
* Hinduism
* Literature
* Visual arts
* Western philosophy

Related|

* Agni Yoga
* Anthroposophy
* Esotericism
* Maitreya
* Neo-Theosophy
* Order of the Star in the East
* Plane (cosmology)
* Spiritual evolution
* Theosophical mysticism

* v
* t
* e

Chennai

History

| Early history (pre-1500)|

* Sangam period
* Thomas the Apostle
* Pallava Dynasty
* Chola Dynasty
* Vijayanagar Empire

|

Colonial period (1500–1947)|

* São Tomé de Meliapore
* Raja of Chandragiri
* Agency of Fort St George
* 1721 Madras cyclone
* Carnatic Wars
* Madras
* Adyar
* Chingleput
* Anglo-Mysore Wars
* Madras Presidency
* Arbuthnot Bank Crash
* Besant v. Narayaniah
* Bombardment of Madras by SMS Emden
* De La Haye scandal
* 1921 Buckingham and Carnatic Mills Strike
* Neil Statue Satyagraha
* 1928 South Indian Railway Strike
* 1932 Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Strike
* 1943 Chennai floods

Modern period (1947–present)|

* Madras Manade
* Anti-Hindi agitations
* R. S. S. Chennai bombing
* 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
* 2013 Anti-Sri Lanka protests
* 2015 South India floods
* 2023 Chennai floods

Geography and wildlife

| Regions|

* Chennai Metropolitan Area
* Central Chennai
* North Chennai
* South Chennai

|

Waterways|

* Adyar River
* Buckingham Canal
* Coovum River
* Kosasthalaiyar River
* Otteri Nullah

Lakes|

* Adambakkam Lake
* Ambattur Lake
* Ayanambakkam Lake
* Chembarambakkam Lake
* Chetput Lake
* Chitlapakkam Lake
* Cholavaram aeri
* ICF Lake
* Korattur Aeri
* Long Tank
* Madambakkam Lake
* Madhavaram Lake
* Maduranthakam Lake
* Mangal Lake
* Manali Lake
* Pallavaram Lake
* Paruthipattu Lake
* Perungudi Lake
* Porur Lake
* Pulhal Lake
* Porur Lake
* Red Hills Lake
* Retteri
* Thervoy Kandigai reservoir
* Tiruninravur Lake
* Velachery Lake
* Veeranam
* Vilinjiyambakkam Lake
* Villivakkam lake

Islands|

* Kattupalli Island
* Quibble Island
* The Island

Zoological parks|

* Arignar Anna Zoological Park
* Chennai Snake Park
* Guindy National Park
* Madras Crocodile Bank
* Marine Kingdom

Reserve Forests|

* Nanmangalam Reserve Forest
* Vandalur Reserve Forest

Marshlands|

* Adyar Creek
* Ennore Creek
* Pallikaranai Wetland

Heritage
monuments|

* Amir Mahal
* Bharat Insurance Building
* Brodie Castle
* Chennai Central Prison
* Chepauk Palace
* LIC Building
* Lighthouse
* Police headquarters
* Port Trust Building
* Rajaji Hall
* Ripon Building
* Royapuram railway station
* University of Madras Senate House
* Southern Railway headquarters
* Valluvar Kottam
* Victoria Public Hall
* Anna Nagar twin arches

Statues|

* Marina Beach Statues
* Thomas Munro
* Triumph of Labour

Memorials|

* Anna Memorial
* Gandhi Mandapam
* M.G.R. and Amma Memorial
* Madras War Cemetery
* Rajiv Gandhi Memorial
* Victory War Memorial
* Vivekanandar Illam

Administration and politics

| Districts|

* Chennai District
* Tiruvallur District
* Kanchipuram District
* Vellore District

|

Taluks|

| Chennai District|

* Aminjikarai
* Ayanavaram
* Egmore
* Guindy
* Mambalam
* Mylapore
* Perambur
* Purasaiwalkam
* Tondiarpet
* Velachery

|

Tiruvallur district|

* Tiruvottiyur
* Madhavaram
* Ambattur
* Avadi
* Maduravoyal
* Ponneri
* Poonamallee
* Tiruvallur
* Gummidipoondi
* Uthukottai
* Tiruttani
* Pallipattu

Kanchipuram district|

* Alandur
* Sholinganallur
* Pallavaram
* Tambaram
* Chengalpattu
* Thiruporur
* Tirukalukundram
* Sriperumbudur
* Walajabad
* Kanchipuram
* Uthiramerur
* Madurantakam
* Cheyyur

Vellore District|

* Arakkonam

Constituencies|

| Parliamentary |

* Chennai Central
* Chennai North
* Chennai South
* Sriperumbudur
* Thiruvallur

|

Assembly|

* Alandur
* Ambattur
* Anna Nagar
* Avadi
* Chengalpattu
* Chepauk
* Egmore
* Harbour
* Kolathur
* Madhavaram
* Maduravoyal
* Mylapore
* Pallavaram
* Perambur
* Ponneri
* Poonamallee
* RK Nagar
* Royapuram
* Saidapet
* Sholinganallur
* Sriperumbudur
* T.Nagar
* Tambaram
* Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar
* Thiruvottiyur
* Thousand Lights
* Tiruvallur
* Villivakkam
* Virugambakkam
* Velachery

Nodal agencies|

* Greater Chennai Corporation
* Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
* Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board
* Chennai Police Commissionerate
* General Post Office
* Greater Chennai Police
* Madras High Court
* Sheriff
* Tamil Nadu Electricity Board
* Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services

Economy

| Business
districts|

* Burma Bazaar
* Entertainment Corridor
* Kothawal Chavadi
* Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex
* Panagal Park
* Parry's Corner
* Pondy Bazaar
* Ranganathan Street
* Ritchie Street

|

SEZ|

* Ambattur Industrial Estate
* Automotive Corridor
* Chennai ITIR
* DLF Cybercity
* EMS Corridor
* Guindy Industrial Estate
* International Tech Park
* MEPZ
* Olympia Tech Park
* Ramanujan IT City
* SEZ Corridor
* Mahindra World City
* SIPCOT IT Park
* TIDEL Park
* TIDEL Park, Pattabiram
* World Trade Center

Companies and
institutions|

* Aavin
* Ashok Leyland
* Basin Bridge Gas
* Blue Dart Aviation
* Chettinad Group
* Chennai Trade Centre
* EID Parry
* Ennore Thermal
* GMR Vasavi
* Heavy Vehicles Factory
* Higginbotham's
* Indian Bank
* Indian Overseas Bank
* Integral Coach Factory
* Madras Atomic Power Station
* Madras Rubber Factory
* Madras Stock Exchange
* Murugappa Group
* North Chennai Thermal
* Reserve Bank of India
* Royal Enfield
* Sun Group
* The Hindu
* The New Indian Express
* TI Cycles of India
* TVS Motors
* Vallur Thermal
* World Bank office

Industry|

* Automotive
* Electronics
* Retail
* Software

Culture and recreation

| General|

* Architecture of Chennai
* Broadcasting in Chennai
* Kollywood
* Madrassi
* Madras Bashai
* Madras School
* Tourism in Chennai

|

Beaches

* Covelong
* Elliot's Beach
* Golden Beach
* Marina Beach

Parks|

* Anna Nagar Tower Park
* Dr. Annie Besant Park
* May Day Park
* Natesan Park
* Panagal Park
* People's Park
* Semmozhi Poonga
* Secretariat Park
* Tholkappia Poonga

Cinemas|

* Cinépolis
* INOX
* PVR Cinemas
* Mayajaal Multiplex
* Shanti Theatre

Periodic events|

* Chennai Book Fair
* Chennai International Film Festival
* Chennai Sangamam
* Lit for Life
* Madras Day
* Madras Music Season
* Saarang
* Techofes

Theme parks|

* MGM Dizzee World
* Queens Land
* VGP Universal Kingdom
* Dash N Splash
* Kishkinta
* Mayajaal

Shopping malls|

* Abhirami Mega Mall
* Alsa Mall
* Ampa Skywalk
* Chandra Mall
* Chennai Citi Centre
* Coromandel Plaza
* Express Avenue
* Gold Souk Grande Mall
* Phoenix Market City
* Ramee Mall
* Spectrum Mall
* Spencer Plaza
* Forum Vijaya Mall

Clubs|

* Gymkhana Club
* Madras Boat Club
* Royal Madras Yacht Club

Religion

| Temples|

* Adikesava Perumal Temple
* Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple
* Anjaneya Temple, Nanganallur
* Ayyappan Temple
* Ashtalakshmi Kovil
* Bodyguard Muniswaran Temple
* Dandeeswarar Temple
* Devi Karumariamman Temple
* Ekambareswarar Temple
* ISKCON Temple Chennai
* Kalikambal Temple
* Kamakshi Amman Temple
* Kapaleeswarar Temple
* Kundrathur Murugan Temple
* Kalikambal Temple
* Madhya Kailash
* Marundeeswarar Temple
* Mundaka Kanni Amman Temple
* Parthasarathy Temple
* Prathyangira Devi Temple
* Ravishwarar Temple
* Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
* Vadapalani Andavar Temple
* Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple

|

Churches|

* Armenian Church
* Church of Our Lady of Light
* St. Andrew's Kirk
* St. George's Cathedral
* St. Patrick's Cathedral
* Santhome Basilica
* St. Mary's Church

Others|

* Madras Synagogue
* Mahabodhi Centre
* Thousand Lights Mosque
* Triplicane Big Mosque

Transport

| Air|

* Chennai International Airport

|

Sea|

* Chennai Port
* Ennore Port
* Kattupalli Shipyard
* Royapuram fishing harbour

Rail|

Railways

* Chennai Metro
* Chennai Metrolite
* Chennai MRTS
* Chennai Suburban Railway
* Southern Railway

|

Stations|

* Chennai Central
* Chennai Egmore
* Tambaram
* Others

Road|

Roads and
expressways

* Anna Salai
* Cenotaph Road
* Chennai Bypass
* Chennai Port - Maduravoyal Expressway
* China Bazaar Road
* East Coast Road
* Inner Ring Road
* Outer Ring Road
* Poonamallee High Road
* Rajiv Gandhi Salai
* Sardar Patel Road

|

Grade separators
and flyovers

* Anna Flyover
* Chennai Airport Flyover
* Chrompet Flyover
* Irumbuliyur Junction
* Kathipara Junction
* Koyambedu Junction
* Madhavaram Junction
* Maduravoyal Junction
* Moolakadai Junction
* Padi Junction

Others|

* Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus
* Chennai Contract Carriage Bus Terminus
* Kilambakkam bus terminus
* Madhavaram Mofussil Bus Terminus
* Metropolitan Transport Corporation
* State Express Transport Corporation

Sport

| Venues|

* Guindy Race Course
* Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
* M. A. Chidambaram Stadium
* Madras Motor Race Track
* Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium
* MRF Pace Foundation
* Mudaliarkuppam boat house
* Muttukadu boat house
* Rajarathinam Stadium
* SDAT Tennis Stadium

|

Teams|

| Badminton|

* Chennai Superstarz

|

Cricket|

* Chennai Super Kings
* Chepauk Super Gillies

Field hockey|

* Chennai Cheetahs
* Chennai Veerans

Football|

* Chennai City F.C.
* Chennaiyin FC

Kabaddi|

* Tamil Thalaivas

Tennis|

* V Chennai Warriors

Table tennis|

* Chennai Lions

Volleyball|

* Chennai Spartans
* Chennai Spikers
* Chennai Blitz

Others|

* Chennai Open
* M. J. Gopalan Trophy
* Madras Presidency Matches

Institutions

| Education|

* Alliance Française de Madras
* Anna Centenary Library
* Birla Planetarium
* Cholamandal Artists' Village
* Connemara Public Library
* DakshinaChitra
* Government Museum
* Tamil Nadu Police Museum
* Kalakshetra
* KM Music Conservatory
* Madras Music Academy
* Schools in Chennai

| Universities|

* Anna University
* University of Madras
* Dr MGR Medical University
* Dr Ambedkar Law University
* Indian Maritime University
* Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
* VIT University Chennai
* SRM Institute of Science and Technology
* B S Abdur Rahman University
* Tamil Nadu Open University
* Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University
* Vels University
* Hindustan University

|

Engineering

* Indian Institute of Technology Madras
* College of Engineering, Guindy
* Madras Institute of Technology
* Alagappa College of Technology

Medical|

* Madras Medical College
* Stanley Medical College
* Kilpauk Medical College
* Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute
* National Institute of Siddha

Arts and
science

* Loyola
* Madras Christian College
* Presidency College
* Queen Mary's (Women)
* Vivekananda
* Pachaiyappa's College
* Stella Mary's (Women)
* DG Vaishnav
* MOP Vaishnav (Women)
* Women's Christian College

Research|

* Central Leather Research Institute
* National Institute of Ocean Technology
* Institute of Mathematical Sciences
* Chennai Mathematical Institute
* Regional Meteorological Centre
* Structural Engineering Research Centre
* Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (India)

Diplomatic
missions

* American Consulate
* British Deputy High Commission
* Malaysian Consulate
* Russian Consulate
* German Consulate
* Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission
* Royal Thai Consulate
* South Korean Consulate

Hospitals|

* Government General Hospital
* Government Multi Super-speciality Hospital
* Royapettah Hospital
* Stanley Hospital
* Kilpauk Medical College Hospital
* Perambur railway hospital
* Apollo Hospitals
* Egmore Eye Hospital
* Sir Ivan Stedeford Hospital
* Sankara Nethralaya
* Madras Medical Mission
* Voluntary Health Services
* MIOT Hospital
* Tambaram TB Sanatorium
* Government Dental Hospital
* Hindu Mission Hospital
* Fortis Malar Hospital
* Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital
* Sundaram Medical Foundation

Hotels|

* Taj Coromandel
* The Park
* Le Royal Meridien
* Hyatt Regency
* Chola Sheraton
* Taj Mount Road
* The Leela Kempinski
* ITC Grand Chola
* Hilton Chennai
* Taj Connemara
* Fisherman's Cove
* Trident Hilton
* Park Sheraton & Towers
* Radisson GRT
* Accord Metropolitan
* JW Marriott
* Park Hyatt
* Radisson Blu City Centre
* Raintree Hotel St Mary's Road
* The Raintree Hotel Anna Salai
* Savera Hotel
* Residency Towers
* Westin Chennai
* Kohinoor Asiana

Localities

| North|

* Aamullaivoyal
* Aathur
* Agaram
* Alamathi
* Andarkuppam
* Angadu
* Anuppampattu
* Arambakkam
* Arani
* Ariyalur
* Arumandhai
* Assisi Nagar, Chennai
* Athipattu
* Athipattu New Town
* Athivakkam
* Attanthangal
* Avurikollaimedu
* Ayanavaram
* Azhinjivakkam
* Bandikavanoor
* Basin Bridge
* Chinnasekkadu
* Chettimedu
* Edapalayam
* Edayanchavadi
* Ennore
* Elandanur
* Elanthancherry
* Elavur
* Ernavoor
* Erukkancherry
* Gnayiru
* Gounderpalayam
* Grant Lyon
* Gummidipoondi
* Janapanchatram
* Jawahar Nagar
* Kadapakkam
* Kaladipet
* Kalakkral
* Kalpalayam
* Kanniammanpettai
* Kannigaipair
* Karanodai
* Kathirvedu
* Kathivakkam
* Katupalli
* Kavangarai
* Kavaraipettai
* Kasimedu
* Kattur
* KK Thazhai
* Kaviarasu Kannadhasan Nagar
* Kodipallam
* Kodungaiyur
* Kolathur
* Kondithope
* Korukkupet
* Kosappur
* Kottai Karai
* Kumaran Nagar
* Lakshmipuram
* Madhavaram
* Madhavaram Milk Colony
* Madharpakkam
* Madiyur
* Mahakavi Bharathi Nagar
* Manali
* Manali New Town
* Manjambakkam
* Mathur
* Mettu Surapedu
* Mettu Thandalam
* Minjur
* Moolachatiram
* Moolakadai
* Muthialpet
* Nallur
* Nandiambakkam
* Napalayam
* Naravarikuppam
* New Erumai Vetti Palayam
* Old Erumai Vetti Palayam
* Orakadu
* Padianallur
* Pallipattu
* Panchetti
* Payasambakkam
* Pazhaverkadu
* Perambur
* Peravallur
* Periapalayam
* Periyamullavoyal
* Periyar Nagar
* Periyasekkadu
* Perungavur
* Ponneri
* Ponniammanmedu
* Pothur
* Puthubakkam
* Puduvoyal
* Pulli Lyon
* Puthagaram
* Puzhal
* Red Hills
* Retteri
* Royapuram
* Sadayankuppam
* Sathangadu
* Sathyamoorthy Nagar (Tiruvottiyur)
* Sathyamoorthy Nagar (Vyasarpadi)
* Seemavaram
* Selavayal
* Sembilivaram
* Sembium
* Sembiyamanali
* Sholavaram
* Siruvapuri
* Sirunium
* Sowcarpet
* Sothuperumbedu
* Surapet
* Thadaperumbakkam
* Thatchoor
* Thathaimanji
* Theerthakariampattu
* Theeyampakkam
* Thervoy Kandigai
* Thirunilai
* Thiruvellavoyal
* Thiru Vi Ka Nagar
* Tiruvottiyur
* Tollgate
* Tondiarpet
* Uthukottai
* Vadagarai
* Vadamadurai
* Vadaperumbakkam
* Vaikkadu
* Vallalar Nagar
* Vallur
* Vannipakkam
* Vazhuthigaimedu
* Vellivoyalchavadi
* Vengal
* Vichoor
* Vijayanallur
* Vilakupattu
* Vilangadupakkam
* Villivakkam
* Vinayagapuram
* VOC Nagar
* Voyalur
* Vyasarpadi
* Washermanpet
* Wimco Nagar

|

West|

* Adayalampattu
* Alwarthirunagar
* Ambattur
* Aminjikarai
* Athipet
* Andankuppam
* Anna Nagar
* Anna Nagar West
* Annanur
* Arakkambakkam
* Aranvoyal
* Ashok Nagar
* Arakkonam
* Arumbakkam
* Avadi
* Ayanambakkam
* Ayapakkam
* Ayathur
* Beemanthangal
* Chembarambakkam
* Choolaimedu
* Egattur
* Gerugambakkam
* Govardhanagiri
* ICF Colony
* Irungattukottai
* Iyyapanthangal
* K. K. Nagar
* Kadambathur
* Kadavur
* Kakkalur
* Kakkalur Industrial Estate
* Kallikuppam
* Karambakkam
* Karayanchavadi
* Kattupakkam
* Kilkondaiyur
* Koduvalli
* Koladi
* Kolapakkam
* Konnur
* Korattur
* Kovur
* Koyambedu
* Kumananchavadi
* Kundrathur
* Kuthambakkam
* Maduravoyal
* Malayambakkam
* Manapakkam
* Manavala Nagar
* Melkondaiyur
* Mettu Kandigai
* MGR Nagar
* Mogappair
* Morai
* Moulivakkam
* Mugalivakkam
* Muthapudupet
* Nandambakkam
* Nandambakkam
* Narasingapuram
* Nazarathpettai
* Nemam
* Nemilichery
* Nesapakkam
* Nerkundram
* Nolambur
* Noombal
* Oragadam
* Padi
* Pakkam
* Pandeswaram
* Pandur
* Paraniputhur
* Parivakkam
* Paruthipattu
* Pattabiram
* Pattaravakkam
* Perambakkam
* Periyapanicheri
* Perumalpattu
* Poochi Athipedu
* Poonamallee
* Poondi
* Poonthandalam
* Porur
* Pudhur
* Putlur
* Ramapuram
* Ramavaram
* Sekkadu
* Seneerkuppam
* Sevvapet
* Shenoy Nagar
* Sorancheri
* Sriperumbudur
* Sunguvarchatram
* Surapet
* Tamaraipakkam
* Thandalam
* Thandurai
* Thathankuppam
* Thirumangalam
* Thirumazhisai
* Thirumullaivoyal
* Thiruninravur
* Tiruvallur
* Tiruverkadu
* Valasaravakkam
* Vanagaram
* Veerapuram
* Vellanur
* Vellavedu
* Velappanchavadi
* Vengathur
* Venkatapuram
* Veppampattu
* Vilinjiyambakkam
* Virugambakkam

Central|

* Alwarpet
* Broadway
* Burma Bazaar
* Chennai Central
* Chepauk
* Chetput
* Chintadripet
* Choolai
* Egmore
* Foreshore Estate
* George Town
* Gopalapuram
* Greenways Road
* Kilpauk
* Kodambakkam
* Kosapet
* Kothawal Chavadi
* Kotturpuram
* Mandavelli
* Mannady
* Mambalam
* MRC Nagar
* Mylapore
* Nandanam
* Nochikuppam
* Nungambakkam
* Otteri
* Panagal Park
* Park Town
* Parry's Corner
* Pattalam
* Periamet
* Pondy Bazaar
* Pudupet
* Pulianthope
* Purasawalkam
* Quibble Island
* Raja Annamalai Puram
* Royapettah
* Saidapet
* Saligramam
* Santhome
* T Nagar
* Teynampet
* The Island
* Triplicane
* Trustpuram
* Vadapalani
* Vepery
* West Mambalam

South|

* Adambakkam
* Adyar
* Agaramthen
* Alandur
* Anakaputhur
* Besant Nagar
* Chitlapakkam
* Chromepet
* Chengalpattu
* Egattur
* Ekkaduthangal
* Erumaiyur
* Gowrivakkam
* Guduvancheri
* Guindy
* Guindy TVK Estate
* Devaneri
* Hasthinapuram
* Illalur
* Injambakkam
* Irumbuliyur
* Jafferkhanpet
* Jaladampet
* Kanathur
* Kandanchavadi
* Kannivakkam
* Karanai
* Karapakkam
* Karumbakkam
* Kattankulathur
* Kazhipattur
* Kizhkalvoy
* Keelkattalai
* Kelambakkam
* Kottivakkam
* Kovalam
* Kovilambakkam
* Kovilanchery
* Madambakkam
* Madhuvankarai
* Madipakkam
* Mamallapuram
* Manimangalam
* Mannivakkam
* Maraimalai Nagar
* Medavakkam
* Meenambakkam
* Melkalvoy
* MEPZ
* Mettukuppam
* Mudichur
* Muttukadu
* Nandivaram
* Nanganallur
* Nanmangalam
* Navalur
* Neelankarai
* Nellikuppam
* Noothancheri
* Okkiyam
* Okkiyampet
* Oragadam
* Ottiambakkam
* Padappai
* Palavakkam
* Palavanthangal
* Pallavaram
* Pallikaranai
* Pammal
* Panaiyur
* Paranur
* Pattipulam
* Payanur
* Pazhanthandalam
* Peerkankaranai
* Perumbakkam
* Perumathunallur
* Perungalathur
* Perungudi
* Perunthandalam
* Ponmar
* Polichalur
* Potheri
* Pudupakkam
* Puzhuthivakkam
* Rajakilpakkam
* Rathinamangalam
* Selaiyur
* Sembakkam
* Semmencherry
* Sholinganallur
* Singaperumalkoil
* Siruseri
* Sithalapakkam
* Somangalam
* St. Thomas Mount
* Tambaram
* Tambaram Sanatorium
* Thaiyur
* Tharamani
* Tharapakkam
* Thirumudivakkam
* Thiruneermalai
* Thiruporur
* Thiruvanmiyur
* Thiruvidandhai
* Thuraipakkam
* Tirusulam
* Ullagaram
* Urapakkam
* Uthandi
* Vadanemili
* Vandalur
* Vanuvampet
* Velachery
* Vengaivasal
* Vettuvankeni

* Category
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Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
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National|

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Other|

* IdRef

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