Mystery, as Freemasons temple opens on June 24

Visakhapatnam: The century-old Hamilton Memorial Masonic Temple on the Beach Road has remained a mystery to many as the entry to the building is restricted throughout the year except on the Universal Brotherhood Day celebrated on June 24 every year by the freemasons. People can know about the Freemason Society and the building if they visit the building on June 24, the day on which the members of the society conduct a free medical camp, provide scholarships and distribute various articles to the needy. About 500 freemasons have been invited for this day, according to a member of the society, (R.W. Bro) A.B. Narasinga Rao.

The Masonic temple, existing since 1895 and also known as Waltair Lodge-56, is a congregation place for people called as freemasons who believe in brotherhood transcending caste, creed and religion. Every third Saturday, freemasons gather at the lodge and conduct some rituals. Though the building faces the sea, it has been conserved well with regular maintenance. According to historians, Colonial rulers established freemasonry in India in 1730 at Fort William in Calcutta. Subsequently, efforts were put in to set up a Masonic Lodge in Visakhapatnam by the British Coast Artillery. A site from the municipality was acquired and foundation stone laid in 1908 by Sir Arthur Lawley, Governor of Madras, a non-Mason, and, it was named by illustrious freemason NAW Hamilton.

The building has been designed in a simple architectural pattern. Verandas in the ground and first floors are enclosed with a series of pointed arches. In front elevation, a series of three arches are executed in each floor, with central arch being larger in span and height than others. This ashlar stone masonry construction, dressed with fine ashlar arches, contributes to the streetscape. A woman from the locality said sometimes she feared of passing by the building as it remained quiet secluded most of the time.  

“The freemason society raises fund only from its members and not from others as per their regulation. We don’t do charity for publicity and also don’t try to propagate our society,” Mr Narasinga Rao added. “It is not at all a secret society. Judges, bureaucrats, businessmen and people from all walks of life are members of the society. There are only some activities which are not made public. However, we are opening up more than earlier times. We have three main principles - brotherly love, relief and truth,” Dr Rao said.