Page 29 - Ashlar June - September 2024

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XIX Issue II
History of Lodge Sahyadri No. 351, Miraj

Miraj is a small town in southern Maharashtra in Govindrao Marathe Miraj Industrial Estate.
and is well known as a medical center and is In 2010 one of our members, Bro. Dhananjay
also renowned for handcrafted musical Kulkarni, suggested that the Lodge could use
instruments like sitar and tanpura. There was two halls in the premises of his factory for our
no Freemason’s Lodge between Pune and regular meetings for the token rent of Rs. 1/-
Belgavi and a need was felt to start one. The per year. The venue of the meetings now
then R. W. the Regional Grand Master R. W. shifted to new premises and we still assemble
Bro. V. J. Masurekar pursued this idea and here regularly. W. Bro. Dhananjay Kulkarni
made special efforts to expedite the matter as was summoned to Grand Lodge Above on 1st
early as possible. September 2021 leaving fond memories
Lodge General Williams No. 165, Pune behind.
proposed formation of the new Lodge at Miraj Lodge Sahyadri 351 takes special efforts in
which was named Lodge Sahyadri. It is imparting Masonic knowledge to members of
interesting to know that though Lodge the Lodge. One or two regular meetings in a
Sahyadri was located in Western region, out year are exclusively dedicated to Masonic
of the 38 petitioners, 25 were from Lodge e d u c a t i o n f o r n o v i c e s . W. B r o .
Victoria No. 9 (GLI) Belgavi, which is in Chandrashekhar Marathe and W. Bro. Udhav
Southern region and 7 were from Lodge Dalvi discuss topics related to responsibilities
Cataract No. 909 (SC) also from Belgavi. and duties of office bearers during degree
This it turned out to be a special occasion working. Importance of observing Masonic
when brethren from Western and Southern etiquettes in the Lodge is also stressed. W.
regions of GLI and also from other constitution Bro. Vijay Tuljapukar explains symbolism in
joined hands to start a new Lodge in Miraj. R. Masonry. These brethren also act as faculty
W. Bro. Suresh Sane and W. Bro. Vijay members during Active Officer’s Training
Avadhani played a key role in this venture. Program conducted by RGL-WI.
Lodge Sahyadri No. 351 was consecrated by In last one and half decade Lodge Sahyadri
the then M. W. Grand Master M. W. Bro. No. 351 has conducted two Important
Justice Devinder Gupta on 15th April 2007. Masonic events. In 2014 Active Officer’s
On this occasion petitioners of the new Lodge, Training Program was conducted at Panhala
who were from Miraj, Sangli, Ugar, Belgavi, which was attended by 36 brethren from
Pune and Mumbai, had the honour and different Lodges in Western region. In
pleasure to meet several senior brethren from February 2019 the Lodge organized AIM at
Regional Grand Lodges of Western and Sangli which was a very successful event.
Southern regions and Grand Lodge of India. Six brethren from Lodge Sahyadri No. 351
W. Bro. V. R. Naik was the Founder Master of have been awarded Long Term Service
the Lodge and he conducted the regular Jewels so far.
meetings in an exemplary manner. He also They are –
guided and taught the novices and laid down a V. W. Bro. Deepchand B. Shaha (50 years)
firm foundation for the future development of W. Bro. Suresh B. Shahs (40 years) - Due for
the Lodge. Brethren of Lodge Sahyadri will 50 years now.
always remain grateful for his contribution in Bro. Dr. Sharad B. Chidgupkar (40 years)
early days. W. Bro. Arvind G. Marathe (40 years) – Due
Initially meetings of Lodge Sahyadri No. 351 for 50 years in 2025
were held in a hall in Marathe Engineering. W. Bro. Dr. Vijay B. Tuljapurkar (25 years)
After a few months the venue shifted to a hall W. Bro. Shashank S. Santpur (25 years)

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