Authorised by provisional warrant issued by the M.W. Grand Master ASFI, the first regular meeting of the Lodge Elysium was held in Shimla on the 3rd September, 1907, under the chairmanship of Bro. Leslie Stuart Campbell, who was the only installed master (under the English constitution) among the founder members. On that very day, Bro. Alfred James Ruegg was inducted to the chair of the Lodge, after being administered the oath de fideli. He was duly obligated and installed as the first Master at a special meeting on 12th October, 1907 by R.W. Bro. R.H. Forman, the Substitute Grand Master incharge of the A.S.F.I. The formal consecration of the Lodge, after due receipt of the regular Warrant, was done by M.W. Bro. Col. Forman, Grand Master A.S.F.I. On the 7th of October, 1908 when Bro. Mc Gregor Cheers was duly installed as the Worshipful Master by Wor. Bro. Ruegg. Accordingly the installation of the Lodge appears to have taken place in the month of October every year. Till 1921.

The first Indian Brother to be affiliated was Bro. Dinshaw H.framjee on the 7th January, 1908 and the first Indian Candidate was Bro. Sarabjee Hormusjee Hormusjee, who was initiated on 5th May, 1908.

The outbreak of war in 1914 did not very much affect the Lodge, although in 1916, the Grand Lodge of Scotland issued a directive so as to affect the right of Brethren of enemy origin and nationality to attend the Lodge meetings during the war time, A formal admission was unsuccessful in the year 1916, but was passed in 1918 and was rescinded subsequently in 1919.

In 1921 the bye-laws were amended, for changing the month of installation to September. R.W. Bro. R.C.W. Hunter was installed as the Master on 5th September, 1922. In the election meeting of 7th August, 1923, in the presence of R.W. Bro. Sir Claude Jacob, the Grand Superintendent, a furore, which was unprecedented, took place, in the sense that not one of the officers (except the Treasurer) recommended by the committee of past Masters was elected.

The first Indian to be installed in the Eastern Chair was R.W. Bro. A.C. Jassawalla in August, 1925. R.W.Bro. P.M. Sundaram, who was later to become a deacon in the Lodge became a founder of the proposed new Masonic Temple at New Delhi.

R.W.Bro. M.P. Dube, become the 25th master and the 2nd Indian to be the Master on 1st September, 1931. The Nawab of Rampur who was later to become the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India was affiliated on 5th July, 1932, in which year, another Indian W. Bro. N. Aravamudan was installed in the Eastern Chair.

The first Ladies Night of the Lodge was held on June 2, 1936 On 2nd August, 1938, the first Master of the Lodge R.W. Bro. A.J. Ruegg revisited the Lodge and Rejoined on 4th October, 1938. The year 1939 unfortunately marked the nadir of harmony between Indian and European Brethren.

The Lodge met in New Delhi for the first time on 6th November, 1940, under a Dispensation to hold its regular meeting on the 1st Wednesday of every month instead of 1st Tuesday, Between November, 1940 and March, 1941. The Lodge returned to Shimla in May, 1941, when R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram resigned from the Lodge. The year 1944 to 1946 were bumper years when many members of the armed forces joined the Institution, In July, 1946, the Lodge moved permanently to New Delhi, the earlier attempts in 1917, and 1939 having failed. With the independence of the country and the exodus of the European members the Lodge entered a lean period for a short while. On 24th October, 1947 the Lodge held a joint meeting with Lodge Imperial, to welcome the M.W. Grand Master Sir Ivor Taunton who had come to Delhi to consecrate Lodge Sundar Heera. In February 1948, W.Bro K.C. Ramasubramaniam was initiated. Both, W.Bro H.H. Nawab of Rampur and R.W.Bro. P.M. Sundaram, the two pillars of the Grand Lodge of India rejoined the Lodge on 5th April, 1949. R.W. Bro. C.A. Subrahmanyam Joined the Lodge on 3rd January, 1950, and for six years from September, 1951 onwards took over the onerous task of secretary-ship which culminated in his masterly presentation of the history of the Lodge from 1907 to 1957 and was published as a souvenir during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Lodge.

In September 1950, R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram was installed in the Masters Chair of his mother Lodge. During his period of reign the Lodge really reached a high level both in the strength and quality of its members, W. Bro. D. Ramiah was initiated on 4th June, 1951. In September 1951, the Lodge sponsored the petition of Lodge Indraprastha. On the 15th November, 1952 the Lodge joined in a Reception for R.W. Bro. Lord Elgin of Kincardine P.G.M.M. of Scotland and Lady Elgin.

On 6th April, 1954, the Lodge with W. Bro. B.R. Murgai in Chair, Sponsored the petition for Lodge East and West and on 5th April, 1955 the Lodge, under the Mastership of R.W. Bro. S. B. Khazan Singh unanimously nominated one of its own subscribing members H.H. the Nawab of Rampur for the Grand Mastership of U.S.F.I.C.H. was duly installed and made H.S.G.W. of Scotland. The Lodge was signally honored when another subscribing Brother P.M. Sundaram was made the H.J.G.W. on 3rd June, 1956, when V.W.Bro. K.C. Rama Subramaniam was the reigning master, the newly installed Grand Master made an official visit to the Lodge and he was felicitated on his Masonic Jubilee. In the same year, R.W. Bro. Sundaram was Duly elected as a Distinguished Service Member.

In September, 1956, the Lodge entered its 50th year. On 6th August, 1957, the Lodge unanimously voted in favour of the proposed Grand Lodge of India and at the same meeting the 51st Master W.Bro P.C. Bhasin was elected, when again, the proposal of the P.M. s committee was unfortunately turned down in the Lodge, for the second time in its history.

The Golden Jubilee was celebrated in all eclat on 3rd September, 1957, in the presence of W. Bro. Sardar Bahadur Sital Singh. Deputy District Grand Master of Northern Indian (EC.), R.W.Bro. Lt. Gen. Sir Harold Williams. Grand Inspector of lrish Freemasonry in North India and R.W. Bro. P.C. Bhasin was duly installed. In the meeting of 3rd December, 1957 the Lodge turned to the East in mourning for the Demise of R.W. Bro. Sir lvor Taunton, P.G.M. and Grand Secretary U.S.F.I.C.

W. Bro. G.S. Gupta Was installed as the 52nd master on 2nd September, 1958, in the presence of R.W. Bro. Ranbir Sawhney. Grand Superintendent of the Northern Billimoria. This year was punctuated by quite a few resignations and removal of names from the records.

On the 3rd of march, 1959 with the reigning master of Lodge Elysium in the chair, a special joint meeting of the six S.C. Lodges in Delhi was held when M.W.Bro. His Highness the Nawab of Rampur, Grand Master of U.S.F.I.C. accompanied by the members of his deputation attended, Also R.W. Bro Lord Alexander Godfray Macdonald Past Grand Master, accompanied by R.W. Bro. Dr. Alex. F. Buchan, Grand Secretary and other officers of the Grand Lodge of Scotland were received in due form and saluted. An address of welcome was read out by R.W. Bro. R.A.Boga. Grand Superintendent, Northern Area. U.S.F.I.C.

In the meeting on 4th August, 1959, R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram was unanimously elected to the Eastern Chair for the second time in 10 years in his mother Lodge more as a Call of duty to promote peace and harmony and for the uplift of the Lodge, He was regularly installed on the 1st of September, 1959 in the presence of R.W.Bro. R.A. Boga. The Grand Superintendent of the Northern Area of the U.S.F.I.C.

In the Meeting of 11th March, 1960, the resignation of M.W. the Grand Master of U.S.F.I.C. Sir Syed Raza Ali Khan, Nawab of Rampur was announced with regrets.

To carry on the work of reconstruction of the Lodge, which was in its bad days, R.W.Bro. M.P. Dube was elected to the Eastern Chair, Like His Predecessor, to occupy it for the second time, in his mother Lodge, In an emergent meeting of 17th August, 1960 Bro. Dr. R.D.N. lyengar, who became the 60th Master later, was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry. On the 6th September, 1960 in the presence of R.W.Bro. Boge. Grand Superintendent of the Northern Area of the U.S.F.I.C. R.W.Bro. M.P. Dube was duly installed.

In the meeting of the 4th April the Lodge unanimously voted that "this Lodge do opt to form the proposed Grand Lodge of India on its inauguration". Thereby Lodge Elysium Became one of the founder Lodges for the Grand Lodge of India. On the same day R.W. Bro. S.B.S. Khazan Singh was greeted and saluted for the conferment of the Honorary rank of substitute Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of U.S.F.I.C.

In the meeting of 3rd October, 1961 it was decided to request the Grand Lodge of Scotland to return the Charter of Lodge Elysium after cancellation for record. Bro. Narander Paul was initiated on that day.

7th November, 1961 was the last date when Lodge Elysium functioned as a Scotish Lodge Bearing the No. 1031 SC. For. On 24th November, 1961, the Grand Lodge of India was inaugurated in a Most solemn and impressive ceremony with R.W.Bro. P.M. Sundaram, and initiate and a past Master of Lodge Elysium as the Grand Secretary. Also, seven other members of the Lodge were given the Grand Lodge ranks, indicating thereby the esteem in which Lodge Elysium was held.

The first meeting of Lodge Elysium Bearing the No. 69 G.L.I. was held on 5th December, 1961. In the meeting of 7th August, 1992 a sum of Rs. 501/- was unanimously approved to be donated to the Benevolent Fund of the Grand Lodge of India. On 4th September, 1962 W.Bro H.L. Mehra was installed as the W.M. in the Presence of R.W. Bro. Dr. Durga Prasad, Regional Grand Master of Northern India, This being the first installation in the Lodge after the newly formed Grand Lodge of India.

The Lodge contributed Rs. 251/- to the Defence Fund in the cause of the Indo-China conflict. On the 2nd July, 1963, Bro. C.G. Swaminathan, Who Was to Compile the History of the Lodge later, was initiated into the mysteries and Privileges of Freemasonry. By a Special dispensation, the regular meeting of February, 1964 was held on Wednesday the 5th February, 1964 when the M.W.Bro. Bhogilal Shah Grand Master, Grand Lodge of India, R.W. Bro P.M. Sundaram, Grand Secretary, R.W. Bro. Lt. Gen. Sir Williams P.G.M., R.W.Bro. Dr. C.J. Chacko Dy. R.G.M. were present and saluted. Bro. O.P. Gupta was initiated on that day.

On the 1st of September, 1964 W. Bro Harihar Prasad Dube was installed, as the dipful Master, the ceremony being presided over by his father R.W. Bro. M.P. Dube. The ceremony was very well attended by some of the pillars of the Grand Lodge of India, namely R.W. Bro. Prof M.S. Thacker, Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro.Lt Gen. Sir Harold Williams Past Deputy Grand Master and R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram Grand Secretary.

On the 3rd of November 1964, the Lodge unanimously passed a Resolution to donate a sum of Rs. 1001/- toward the contribution to R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram Shashti Abdha Poorthi celebrations and for the establishment of a scholarship to commemorate the function. A condolence resolution was passed on the 1st of December, 1994 in memory of W.Bro. R.C.W. Hunter P.G. Marshal (GLI) P.D.R.C.M. (N.L.) who presided as the Master of the Lodge in the Period 1922-23.

A special meeting was held on the 25th December 1964 to celebrate the 60th birthday of R.W.Bro. P.M. Sundaram, an illustrious member of Lodge Elysium The M.W. Bro. Bhogilal C. Shah the Most Worshipful Grand Master together with the two Deputy Grand Master R.W.Bro. Lt. Gen Sir Harold Williams and R.W. Bro Dr. Durga Prasad, the Right Worshipful Regional Grand Master and R.W. Bro. Dr. C.J. Chacke Dy. Regional Grand Master together with the officers of the G.L.I. and R.G.L. I. (N.I.) graced the function.

At a meeting held on 6th April, 1965 Br. T.F. Buchrer a Mason form Epes Randolph Lodge 32 of Arizona strayed in as a Visitor and during the dinner gave a very interesting speech pertaining to Masonry in his part of the world.

W. Bro. S. Annaswamy, who had been unanimously elected previously was installed in the Eastern Chair on the 7th September’ 1965. The installation meeting was a very much-subdued affair, owing to the Indo-Pak conflict at that time, and only the minimum number of officers needed were present. On the 5th October 1965 W. Bro. D. Ramiah rejoined the Lodge after an absence of seven years.

The Lodge was inspected by R.W. Bro M.C. Pande, Assistant Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Northern India on 7th December, 1965. The Lodge unanimously passed a Resolution to give monetary relief to the family of late Bro. Rawel Singh.

The meeting on the 5th April, 1966 opened in deep mourning Owing to the demise of M.W. Bro Major General His Highness Sir Syen Raza Ali Khan, Nawab of Rampur, Past Grand Master of the G.L.I. Bro. Bharat Bhushan Lal was initiated at this meeting and W. Bro. A.C. Jain P.G. Steward G.L.I. joined the Lodge on that day.

R.W.Bro Dr. Durga Parsad, the Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of India together with W.Bro. M.C. Pande the Assistant Regional Grand Master of Northern India attended the meeting that was held on 10th July, 1966 and congratulated the Worshipful Master for the satisfactory performance of the Lodge.

The Regular Installation meeting of the Lodge was conducted by special dispensation on the 18th September, 1966 when W.Bro. Dr. R.K.N. lyenger who had been unanimously elected in the meeting of August, was installed to reign over the affairs of the Lodge in its 60th year of existence. The impressive installation ceremony was attended by R.W. Bro. Lt. Gen. Sir Harold Williams, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India, R.W. Bro P.M. Sundaram, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of India and R.W. Bro Khazan Singh, Past Deputy Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge on Northern India.

The Meeting of 4th October, 1966 was attended by two distinguished Master Masons from abroad namely Brothers, Lesle Curtis (Prime Minister of New Foundland) of Lodge St. Andrew 1139 SC and Joseph R. Smallwood (Senator of New Foundland) of Lodge North Life No. 1086 SC. In the Meeting Held on 1st August, 1967, the Lodge turned to the East in mourning for the demise of W.Bro. N. Aravamudan. Past Master in 1932-33.

On the 3rd of September, 1967, Bro. K.N. Pareek was installed in the Eastern Chair before a Galaxy of master masons such as R.W.Bro. P.M. Sundaram, V.W. Bro. Justice Prakash Narain and others, lt was a diamond jubilee evening with the wives of the brethren and other guests of about 60 at the dinner table. A Souvenir Prepared by Bro. C.G. Swaminathan, in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Lodge covering its activities upto 1967 was released by R.W.Bro. P.M. Sundaram.

On 2nd Jan, 1968, R.W. Bro. Sir Harold William, Past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India attended the meeting of the Lodge, when Bro. R.D. Arora was initiated. R.W. Bro Dr. Durga Das, Regional Grand Master, Northern India was Called to the Grand Lodge above on the 9th July and accordingly the Lodge was in mourning during the meeting of August, 1968.

On 3rd September, 1968, Bro G.R. Murty was installed as the Master for 1968-69, in an impressive meeting when the W.Bro. S.A.J. Pratt and Bro. K.L. Givson from Sierra Leon and Idaho were present. R.W. Bro. M.P. Dube was conferred the rank of Past Assistant Grand Master in the Grand Lodge of India for which in the meeting of 4th February, he was felicitated. In February, 1969, Sir Harold William was installed as the Regional Grand Master for Northern India. R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram, a distinguished initiate of the Lodge was conferred the Grand Master’s Order Of Service to Masonry, for which he was greeted by the members of the Lodge on 1st April 1969. In the meeting of May, 1969 Bro. Munson from California attended the meeting. During the month of May, the Lodge was in mourning owing to the death of Dr. Zakir Hussain, the President of India. The Month of July also Marked the 40 years of service to masonry by R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram.

On 2nd September, 1967, Bro. C.G. Swaminathan was Installed in the Eastern chair, in the presence of well known Masons such as R.W.Bro. P.M. Sundaram. V.W. Bro. Faquir Chand and others. In the meeting of December, 1969, the Lodge was in mourning for R.W.Bro. P. Cheran, the Deputy Grand Master of Grand Lodge of India, who was called to the Grand Lodge above. In November 1963, V.W. Bro. K.C. Ramasubramaniam took over the secretaryship from R.W.Bro. M.P. Dube. In the meeting of July 1970, a long term service Jewel was presented to R.W. Bro. M.P. Dube.

May 1970, saw the somewhat unique event of a father and son joining the Lodge at the same time in the person of W. Bro. S. Searaman and W. Bro. S. Krishnan, W. Bro. S. Krishnan was later to take over as Secretary of the Lodge in 1972, which office he held with great competence till 1979.

On 1st September 1970, Bro. O.P. Gupta was installed as the W.M. For the year 1970-71, in an impressive manner before a gathering of the M.W. Bro. M.S. Thacker. The Grand Master and other Grand Lodge Officers. The meeting in October, 1970 was attended by R.W. Bro. Lt. Gen. Sir Harold Williams, the Regional Grand Master of Northern India.

On 7th September 1971, Bro. Narender Paul was installed as the W.M., when a deputation of the Regional Grand Lodge headed by V.W. Bro Murgai attended the meeting. In October, 1971, the Lodge was in mourning when R.W. Bro. Sir Harold Williams the Regional Grand Master that year saw the passing away of W. Bro. S.R. Bagai a Past Master of the Lodge. In January 1972, the Lodge lost a very sincere and a good mason in the person of W. Bro Dr. R.K.N. lyenger and on 27th February, a memorial service was held in memory of the two Past Masters. Two other Brethren namely R. W. Bro. M.P. Dube, the oldest initiate of the Lodge after R.W. Bro Jassawala and Bro. K.S. Vishwanathan a keen mason were called to the Grand Lodge above in August. In short, this year saw the passing away of quite a few very good masons of Lodge Elysium. Indeed, it was a sad period.

On 5th of Sept.., 1972, W.Bro. D. Ramiah was installed in the Eastern Chair. Though he was a very old initiate of the Lodge in 1951, he did not have the privilege of being the master earlier. In the meeting of the February 1978, the Lodge raised the second degree, an initiate of a sister Lodge of Secundrabad.

On 1st September, 1973, Bro. R.K. Viswanathan was installed as the Master in the presence of Regional Grand Master and other reigning masters of the other Lodges. On that occasion R.W. Bro. K.C. Ramasubramaniam was presented with a long term jewel for completion of 25 years in masonry. On 2nd March 1974, Lodge Elysium Joined other 20 Lodges in Delhi, and an emergency meeting held for a funeral service in the memory of R.W. Bro. Faquir Chand, who was called to the Grand Lodge above in February. 1974.

In the meeting of 2nd April, the senior most Brother W.Bro D. Ramiah took the chair to conduct the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of freemasonry in India The first Lodge Anchor and Hope was founded in India in 1873, in which Lodge Swami Vivekananda was initiated. A ceremony for rededication and thanks was conducted. In the meeting of 4th June R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram, an initiate of Elysium was felicitated for his having been appointed as the Past Grand Master. On the same day, R.W.Bro. A.C. Jain was presented with a long term (25 years) service jewel.

The installation meeting of 3rd September 1974, commenced with a condolence for the sad demise of R.W. Bro. P.D. Wadhwa, Regional Grand Secretary of Northern India. W.Bro. A.K. Raman was installed on that day. An emergency meeting with 22 other Lodges was held on 9th September for the funeral service of R.W. Bro. P.D. Wadhwa. In November, 1974, another Joint meeting of 22 Lodges was held when the Regional Grand Master R.W. Bro. Justice Prakash Narain addressed the gathering. In the regular meeting of the Lodge in November, two brethren, one S Mariaswamy, M.P. from Lodge Justitia and another S.K. Sachdeva of Lodge Raza Jubilee were raised to the sub-lime degree of Master Mason. In the Meeting of 7th January 1975, the Lodge was visited by a delegation led by V.W.Bro. Surjit Singh, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Germany and four other brethren from Germany. In the meeting of February, a Brother from Australia, visited the Lodge.

In the meeting of July, 1975, V.W. Bro. C.D. Natarajan, M.P. and Bro. Rego of the American Embassy joined as members of the Lodge. R.W. Bro. A.C. Jain was installed as the worship Master for 1975-76 in the presence of R.W. Bro. Justice Prakash Narain, R.W. Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria and a number of distinguished masons, on 16th September 75.

The meeting of 7th October was attended by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master M.W.Bro. Justice K. Veeraswamy, who gave a detailed account of Masonic activities in lreland and England. The Lodge Presented a Gift in the form of a silver salver to him. The meeting of December 1975, was a sad one, since the Lodge lost one of its illustrious initiates in R.W. Bro. P.M. Sundaram and a condolence resolution was Passed. On 21st December, a meeting of 23 Lodges took place for a funeral service in his memory. W.Bro. B. B. Lall was installed as the Master for the year 1976-77 on 7th September, 1976 in the presence of R.W. Bro. K.C. Ramasubramaniam who was made an Honorary Member of the Lodge for his excellent services. A Joint meeting of 23 Lodges of Delhi took place on 9th January, 1977 and it was presided over by the Regional Grand Master, R.W. Bro. The Hon’ble Justice Prakash Narain along with his officers.

In the meeting of August, 1977, W. Bro. A.C. Jassawala, the. Oldest member of Lodge had completed 60 years in Freemasonry and a commemorative medal was recommended from the Grand Lodge of India and a silver salver was presented by the brethren of the Lodge and was sent to him. W.Bro. P.V.S. Krishnan donated Rs. 501/- in memory of his father and this was donated to the masonic polyclinic.

On the 11th September 1973, W. Bro. K.M. Viswanathan, was installed in the Eastern Chair. A joint Meeting of 23 Lodges in Delhi and adjoining areas was held on 2nd December, 1977, when the Regional Grand Master R.W. Bro. Justice Prakash Narain addressed the brethren. The Lodge competed for a ritual working and the competition was held on 6th December, 1977. The efforts of the Lodge, in the Competition was crowned with success & W.Bro. K.M. Viswanathan received the Trophy from the hands of the Regional Grand Master. Based on special dispensation the candidates were raised to the sublime degree at the meeting held on 7th February, 1978. In the meeting of March, R.W. Bro. A. C. Jain was greeted and saluted nine times for his elevation to the rank of Dy. Regional Grand Master of Northern India. In the meeting of July 1979, Bro. V. Ramanathan an employee of the Grand Lodge office, at the behest of the Grand Lodge was initiated as a serving member.

W. Bro. P.H. Seshan was installed as the Master on 5th September, 1978, in the presence of R.W.Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria, the Regional Grand Master, who complemented the Lodge for winning the ritual working competition. The R.W.Bro., the Regional Grand Master was elected as an honorary member at the meeting on 3rd of October. The Lodge took part in a ritual working competition again during the meeting of 5th December. In the meeting of the 5th February, 1979 W. Bro. B.B. Lall donated Rs. 501/- to the masonic polyclinic.

W.Bro. Vinod Kumar became the master of the Lodge on 4th September, 1979 and Bro. Sri Kumar was installed in the Eastern Chair on 9th September, 1980. The Lodge which was one of the foremost in the matter of membership and attendance stared to decline since 1979 and touched the nadir, during the year 1980 with a strength of only 38. Efforts were made by the Past Masters of the Lodge to rebuild it, and to enable it to regain its past glory.

On 1st September, 1981, W. Bro. S. Annaswamy, a Past Master, took the Eastern Chair in the presence of R.W. Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria, R.W. Bro. A.C. Jain and others. In the meeting of January, the Lodge was in mourning for W.Bro. K.M. Viswanathan, a very keen mason who Passed away in December 1981.

In the meeting of April, the Lodge decided to celebrate the platinum Jubilee in September 1982. In the meeting of March 1982, seven members of the Lodge were given Grand Lodge appointments and certificates. In the election Meeting of August, 1982, W. Bro. S. Krishnan, who though not an initiate of the Lodge Elysium, because of his long service to the Lodge in the capacity of Secretary was unanimously elected to be the Master for 1982-83. The election meeting was also the occasion of a gala family night.

Lodge Elysium celebrated its 75 years Platinum Jubilee celebration on 7th September 1982. The following brethren participated in it and now eight * of them are proudly witnessing the 100th year Centenary Celebration on 20th December, 2007.

1. A. K. Raman * 8. R. K. Shall

2. B.B.Lal * 9. J. S. Kohli *

3. R. H. Seshan 10. P.S. Mankekar

4. S.Krishnan * 11. V. Nagarajan *

5. N. S. Rajan 12. Rajesh Burman *

6. P. V. Shivarama Krishnan 13. Ashok Gupta *

7. Rajinder Kumar Aurora *

W. Bro. S. Krishnan was installed in the Chair on this happy occasion. He would go on to become the Regional Grand Master of Northern India, in which capacity he would oversee the Centenary Celebrations in 2007.

A deputation headed by the Regional Grand Master R.W. Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria visited the Lodge. The ceremony started with a solemn prayer, and a rededication ceremony was held. A souvenir was released on the occasion. The Past Masters of the Lodge, the pillars of the Lodge were saluted in a befitting manner. Various donations to charitable causes were disbursed and the evening came to a close at 9.45 pm. A sumptuous banquet followed thereafter.

The year was unique, in the sense that, after a gap of 23 years, the initiation of a son of an initiate of the Lodge took place. Dr. R.Venkatraman, son of R. W. Bro. D. Ramiah, was initiated on 5th April, 1983. The ceremony was conducted by R W. Bro. D. Ramiah in the Chair. Other portions of the rituals were also entrusted to Lewises in the Lodge: W. Bro. S. Krishnan (north east charge), W. Bro. Annaswamy (working tools), W. Bro. H. P. Dube (charge after initiation) and Bro. Lalit Manaktala (tracing board).

It was in this year that R. W. Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria was elected as Most Worshipful The Grand Master, after the resignation of Most Worshipful Bro. D. P. Madan as the Grand Master. A joint meeting was held on the 28th December, 1982 to facilitate Most Worshipful Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria. Also W. Bro. S. N. Dhingra was appointed as R. W. Regional Grand Master of Northern India.

Bro. V. Pattabhiraman was installed as the Worshipful Master for the year 1983 - 84 on 6th September, 1983. A deputation headed by R. W. Bro. Prem Singh, Dy. Regional Grand Master graced the occasion.

The process of initiation of Lewises continued this year also. On 5th October, 1983, we saw the initiation of Bro. Venkat Sundaram, son of Most Worshipful Bro. P. M. Sundaram, the doyen of freemasonry in India.

On 3rd April, 1984, Bro. Ashit Kumar Jain, son of R. W. Bro.A.C.Jain was initiated into the Lodge. In both these ceremonies, Lewises of the Lodge were entrusted a major part of the ceremony.

Bro. J. S. Kohli was the Worshipful Master of the Lodge for the year 1984 - 85. R. W. Bro. A. B. Saharya, Asstt. Regional Grand Master of Northern India attended with members of his delegation. In the meeting of 6th November, 1984 the Lodge paid rich tributes to Smt. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India who was assassinated brutally on 31st October, 1984.

Four members joined the Lodge. In this year it was announced that Most Worshipful Bro. Sitaram Jaipuria was re-elected as Most Worshipful the Grand Master. However, he passed away sadly on 28th May, 1985 and the Lodge paid homage to him in the meeting held on June 4, 1985.

The year also saw the election of R. W. Bro. Justice Prakash Narain as the Grand Master.

Bro. Chockalingam took over as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge for 1985 - 86. A deputation headed by R. W. Bro. Som Nath Dhingra visited the Lodge.

The year saw the appointment of R. W. Bro. Justice P. N. Khanna as the Regional Grand Master of Northern India on 22nd December, 1985. Four members joined the Lodge. Unfortunately few members had to be excluded for various reasons.

In the year 1986 - 87 Bro. R. Burman took over the Chair of Worshipful Master of the Lodge. R. W. Bro. P. D. Bhargava, Asst. Regional Grand Master, accompanied by members of his deputation attended. The meeting of 2nd December, 1986 was abandoned due to Delhi bandh. Only one member joined the Lodge in the year.

The year saw the sad demise of a senior member of the Lodge W.Bro. C. G. Swaminathan.

Bro. K. L. Narula was installed as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge on 1st September, 1987. R. W. Bro. P. N. Khanna attended, who was also elected as an Honorary Member of the Lodge. He presented a gift to R. W. Bro. D. Ramiah on attaining 80 years of age. The Lodge initiated 8 members in the year.

It was decided to hold only 10 meetings in a year to conserve resources, and to not meet in the months of June and July which were identified as lean months.

25 years Long Term Service Jewels were presented to W. Bro. H.P.Dube and W. Bro. S. Annaswmy on 6th October, 1987.

Bro. V. Nagarajan took over as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge on 6th September, 1988. R. W. Bro. Swami Dayal, Asstt. Regional Grand Master attended the installation. Six members joined the Lodge as initiates during the year.

The Lodge witnessed a sad day, when it learnt that a beloved brother W. Bro. H. P. Dube was called to the Grand Lodge above on 31st March, 1989. A befitting memorial service was held on 27th May, 1989.

For the first time in the Lodge, the Worshipful Master was elected by voting. Bro. J. V. Mehta was elected to the Chair on 11th August, 1989. He became Worshipful Master on 1st September, 1989. R.W.Bro. Yogesh Bahadur the Asstt. Regional Grand Master attended the installation ceremony with members of his deputation. On the same day, 40 years Long Term Service Jewel was presented to R. W. Bro. A. C. Jain for his services to freemasonry. 10 members were initiated into freemasonry.

Bro. Dr. R. Venkatraman was installed as the Worshipful Master on 4th September, 1990. The year saw two initiations. Eight brethren were honoured with RGLNI ranks.

Bro. Venkat Sundaram took over as the Worshipful Master on 3rd September, 1991. Three candidates were initiated in the year. R.W.Bro. D. Ramiah was presented with the 25 years Long Term Service Jewel. Four brethren were honoured with RGLNI ranks.

MW the Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Justice Prakash Narain was facilitated in a joint meeting of the craft Lodges of Delhi, Faridabad and Ghaziabad on 16th November, 1991. W.Bro.Venkat Sundaram acted as the Immediate Past Master and W. Bro. Dr. R. Venkatraman as the Chaplain.

Bro. Ashit Kr. Jain took over the Eastern Chair on 1st September, 1992. No deputation was called from the RGLNI because of the weak financial position of the Lodge. Three members joined as initiates during the year. Three brethren were honoured with RGLNI ranks. In a sad development, W. Bro. V. Pattabhiraman was called to the Grand Lodge above.

W.Bro. V.N.Chandla joined the Lodge on 7th Sept. 1993. With his keen and active participation in the affairs and working of the Lodge some stability was maintained and since then there has not been any looking back in the growth in the membership and the working of the Lodge. A notable development during the year in Indian freemasonry was the withdrawal of recognition to the Grand Lodge of India by the united Grand Lodge of England on 12th September, 1992.

Bro. P. Kora Ipe was the Worshipful Master of the Lodge for 1993 - 94. Six initiations took place in the year. Two brethren were honoured with RGLNI ranks. The year also saw the passing away of Bro. O. P. Gupta, one of the senior most members of the Lodge.

It was also a sad year for freemasonry in India: MW the Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Justice Prakash Narain was called to the Grand Lodge above during the year.

To augment the financial position of the Lodge, subscription rates were raised.

Bro. V. Narayanan was installed as the Worshipful Master for the year 1994 - 95. The year saw two initiation ceremonies. Five brethren were honoured with RGLNI ranks. Sadly, we lost one of our past masters. W. Bro. S. Chockalingam was called to the Grand Lodge above.

Bro. Dr. K. C. Wahal took over as the Worshipful Master for the next year. Two candidates were initiated during the year. The subscription was increased and it was decided to re­invite RGLNI deputation for the installation meetings.

Bro. K. L. Narula took over as the Worshipful Master for the year 1996 - 97. He was installed in the presence of W. Bro. R. S. Dewan. The year was not a pleasant year for the Lodge with the membership falling dramatically and attendance at meetings falling to a very low level.

The bad patch in the Lodge continued the next year also. W. Bro. Venkat Sundaram was installed as the Worshipful Master in the presence of RW the regional Grand Master. Four candidates were initiated and one brother joined the Lodge. Three brethren were honoured with RGLNI ranks.

It was a sad year because two senior members R.W.Bro. D. Ramiah and R. W. Bro. A. C. Jain were called to the Grand Lodge above.

Bro. Avtar Singh Sethi was installed as the Worshipful Master for the year 1998 - 99 in September 1998. Five brethren of the Lodge were honoured with Patents of Appointment from RGLNI. The year saw two candidates joining as initiates.

Bro. C. K. Thampy was the new Worshipful Master for the year 1999 - 2000. He was installed in the presence of R.W.Bro. Baldev Nand, the RGM of RGLNI. We had six candidates joining the Lodge during the year and one brother rejoined the Lodge. Bro. Chand Joshi was called to the Grand Lodge above.

25 years Long Term service Jewels were presented to W.Bro. A.K. Raman and W. Bro. B. B. Lall. W. Bro. K. N. Pareek could not attend as he had permanently moved to Jaipur.

The year also saw the change of dates of the regular meetings from the 1st Tuesday to the 3rd Thursday every month.

Bro. Arvind Jain took over as the Worshipful Master for 2000 - 01 on 21st September 2000 in the presence of R. W. Bro. Baldev Nand, the RGM. Three candidates were initiated and one brother was welcomed as a rejoining member. It was decided to stagger the time of the meetings to 7.00 PM in the winter months.

Bro. Ajit Rana was installed as the Worshipful Master for the next year in the presence of R. W. Bro. R. S. Dewan, the RGM. It was a good year for the Lodge, as eight members were initiated in this period. W. Bro. Venkat Sundaram and W. Bro. Ashit Jain were honoured with their first GLI ranks. Five brethren got RGLNI ranks.

RW the RGM and his deputation witnessed the installation of Bro. R. K. Goel as the Worshipful Master for the year 2002 - 03. 25 years Long Term Service Jewel was presented to W.Bro. J. S. Kohli. Three candidates were initiated this year. One brother, namely W. Bro. R. L. Vohra joined our Lodge.

It was a happy year for freemasonry in India as it saw the reunion of GLI and the United Grand Lodge of England and restoration of amity between them, pursuant to which the Lodge was happy to welcome W. Bro. V. Nagarajan as a rejoining member.

Bro. Dr. Sujit Kumar was installed as the Worshipful Master for 2003 - 04 in the presence of R.W.Bro. R.S. Dewan, the RGM. A record ten members were initiated during the year and one brother joined the Lodge. Eight brethren received honours from RGLNI. Grand Ranks were bestowed on W.Bro. V.N.Chandla as PGTyler, W.Bro. Venkatsundaram a PAGIG and W.Bro. Dr. R. Venkatraman as PGTyler.

A recently initiated brother, who had endeared himself to everybody in the Lodge, Bro. Raja Dhiraj Rai, son of Bro. M.D.Rai, was cruelly snatched away from our midst and summoned to the Grand Lodge above on 6th May, 2004. A memorial service was held for him.

Bro. S. K. Sublania was installed in the Eastern Chair for the year 2004 - 05 in the presence of R. W. Bro. V. K. Bhutani, the RGM on 16th September 2004. On the same day, 25 years Long Term Service Jewel was presented to W. Bro. V. Nagarajan. W.Bro. R.L. Vohra and W.Bro. V.N.Chandla were presented 25 years Long Term Service Jewels by R. W. Bro. V. K. Bhutani, the then Regional Grand Master at their Mother Lodge, Lodge Prospect No. 92, Simla on 3rd July 2005. Five candidates were initiated during the year and two brothers joined the Lodge. Six of our brethren received RGLNI ranks.

The following brethren won awards from RGLNI in the Ritual Working Competition (Group IV) for 2004 :

Bro. S. K. Sublania - Best Senior Warden

Bro. Piyush Jain - Merit Certificate Junior Warden

Bro. Ashok Mathur - Merit Certificate, Senior Deacon

Bro. Devender Kumar - Best Junior beacon

Bro. Bimal Sharma - Merit Certificate, Inner Guard

Bro. S. K. Sublania, Bro. Piyush Jain and Bro. Ashok Mathur were invited by RGLNI to participate in their team at the All India Ritual working Competition.

We lost one of the pillars of the Lodge. W. Bro. K. L. Narula was called to the Grand Lodge above on 15th January 2005. A memorial service was held for him.

Bro. Piyush Jain took over as the Worshipful Master for 2005-06 in the presence of R. W. Bro. V. K. Bhutani, the RGM. Seven candidates were initiated in the year and one brother joined the Lodge. Bro. Ashok Mathur was adjudged the Best Senior Deacon in the Ritual Working Competition in Group - IV for the year 2005 and was selected by RGLNI to participate in the team of the Northern region at the All India Inter regional Ritual Working Competition. Past Regional Grand Master, R. W. Bro. R. S. Dewan was called to the Grand Lodge above, in whose memory a 2 minutes silence was observed in the Lodge.

Bro. Wg. Cdr. R. N. Jain took over as the Worshipful Master for the year 2006 - 07. During his tenure five candidates were initiated, one brother joined and one brother rejoined the Lodge. In this year the Lodge received many honours.

W. Bro. R. L. Vohra became the Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of India and Regional Grand Junior Deacon of RGLNI for the year 2006 – 07. He was also appointed as the Hony. Secretary of the Masonic Fraternity of New Delhi in August 2006. Grand Ranks were bestowed on W.Bro. Venkatsundaram as PG Organist, W.Bro. Ashit Jain as PGIG, W.Bro. K.C. Worah as PGIG, W.Bro. V.N.Chandla as PP of G.Steward, W.Bro. Dr. R. Venkataraman as PP of G.Steward, W.Bro. V.Nagarajan as PVP of G.Steward, and W.Bro. R.S.Gupta as PG Steward.

R.W.Bro S. Krishnan, W.Bro. Ashok Gupta and W.Bro. J.S. Kohli were appointed as Hony. Members of the Lodge on 16th November 2006.

During the year donation of Rs. 1,40,000/- were made to various Masonic projects. Our Lodge was adjudged the Best Lodge for projecting Masonic ideals for 2005 and received the Lodge Jumna Trophy.

W. Bro. R. K. Goel was adjudged the Best Secretary in a craft Lodge for which he was awarded the R. W. Dwarka Prasad Kesarwani Trophy.

W. Bro. Piyush Jain was adjudged the Best Senior Warden in a craft Lodge in the northern region in 2005.

Seven brethren of our Lodge have been honoured with ranks of RGLNI.

Bro. Ashok Mathur was installed as Worshipful Master during this Centenary Year in the presence of R. W. Bro. S. Krishnan, The Regional Grand Master on 20th September 2007. Till date under his stewardship six candidates have been initiated and also one brother has joined the Lodge. Thus the Lodge strength has been raised to 71.

During the year 2007 W.Bro R.L. Vohra was again re-appointed as the Honourary Secretary of the Masonic Faternity of New Delhi.

W. Bro. R. L. Vohra and W. Bro. V. N. Chandla have been made President of Grand Steward and Grand Inner Guard respectively and W.Bro. V.Nagarajan as Past Guard I.G. by the Grand Master for the year 2007 - 08.

Divine Service was conducted on 3rd September, 2007 by the Grand Master which was attended by large number of brethren, ladies and other non masons.

The Re-dedication Ceremony is being celebrated on Thursday the 20th December 2007.

We must in all humility pay our tribute to those good masons who founded this Lodge and have made so great a contribution to Freemasonry so as to make this Lodge a heritage of glory .

The Centenary of a Lodge is a very important epoch in its history. It proves that a true and strong foundation was laid a century ago. It reflects of great credit of the founding fathers whose vision and zeal for the Craft brought the Lodge into being and also to the hundreds of brethren who have been members during this time and of all the services they have rendered to the Lodge. The present members will review the events of the last one hundred years and derive useful lessons there from to guide and govern their conduct, now, and in the years to come.

Lodge Elysium has now completed the first hundred years of its existence. It is no doubt a short period, when compared to the immemorial time of the Craft itself. During its hundred years, the Lodge has had its ups and downs. But one can always feel proud that the Lodge has had amongst its initiates and members, some oustanding masons, who brought the Grand Lodge of India into being and even today it has in its fold a good numbers, holding high offices in the Grand Lodge of India and Regional Grand Lodge of India.

The Present Members have the implicit confidence and faith in the Great Architect of the Universe and pray that succeeding generations in the years to come, will uphold the tenets of the order through service in the Lodge and keep this Elysium flame bright and everlasting and guide its destiny towards another glorious and outstanding centenary.