History
Lodge GANGES was founded in late 19th. Century, in the ancient and historical city of Kanpur ,situated on the south bank of holy river GANGA , symbolically named as GANGES by the Britishers .
Freemasonry started in the city of CAWNPORE ( earlier name of Kanpur ) in the early 19th. century when Lodge Harmony No. 438 was founded . Later on, in the year 1885 some brethren of this Lodge cherished the idea of forming a new Craft Lodge in the city . A petition sponsored by Lodge Harmony was submitted in the year 1888 to the United Grand Lodge of England through the District Grand Lodge of Bengal at Calcutta for granting a Warrant of Constitution for the proposed Lodge “ GANGES “ .
The provisional Warrant was granted by the Dist. Grand Lodge of Bengal and a permanent Charter No.2340 E.C. was granted by The United Grand Lodge of England on 12th. December 1889 . This original Charter having been defaced , a Warrant of Constitution was granted by the United Grand Lodge of England on 23rd. November 1905 , which is still existing with the Lodge .
The inaugural and Installation meeting of the Lodge was held on 27th. January , 1890 in the Freemasons Hall of Lodge Harmony No. 438 E.C., prior to the formal Consecration .
Wor. Bro. E.Cook Installed Bro. Mohandra Nath Ganguli in the Eastern Chair as the first Worshipful Master . Bro. Pandit Prathi Nath Chack and Bro. Nil Madhab Bannerjee were appointed as the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden respectively .
The lodge was formally consecrated on 10th. November , 1890 , the day of its 14th. regular meeting . The Consecration Ceremony was performed by Rt.Wor.Bro. John Gannon ,Deputy District Grand Master of Bengal .
At that time the Lodge used to meet Lodge Harmony building at Cawnpore ( old name of Kanpur city ) in the District Of Bengal on the second Monday in the months from April to September and on the second and fourth Mondays in the month of October to March .
In the year 1903 , the Lodge Ganges decided to have its own building and a piece of free- hold land measuring 5.5 acres was obtained from the Catonment authorities ,on perpetual lease under the old Grants .Its lease deed was executed in March 1903 .
Construction of the building was started in October 1903 under the supervision of Bro. Sooraj Bal Singh and the building was completed before June 1904. The Lodge building consists of a Temple Room ,attached to it on one side there is a big Bar Room and an anteroom . On the other side a Banquet Hall , with an attached small room and a large open verandah . In the front side there is a verandah with three rooms on one side and two on the other side .
When the Grand Lodge of India was formed , Lodge Ganges decided to affiliate with it . Accordingly , the Lodge ceased its affiliation with the Grand Lodge of England and is now denominated as Lodge Ganges No. 48 on the register of the Grand Lodge of India , as its foundation Lodge , as per its Warrant of Constitution dated 24th.November 1961 A.D.
Our Lodge celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 9th.November 1940 .At that time lodge had 32 resident members and 5 Absent members . In the year 1990 its Centenary was celebrated when it had 54 resident members and 7 absent members .
Lodge Ganges has sponsored following New Lodges of Kanpur .
Year Lodge Cosecrated On
1940 HINDUSTAN No. 1399 S.C.( now No. 114 under G.L.I.) 17th. October 1941
1959 SURYODAY No. 7709 E.C.( now No.143 under G.L.I.) 27th. August,1960
1961 ARYAVARTA No.1581 S.C. ( now No.145 under G.L.I.) 28th. March 1961
1963 SHAH JAIROTARY No.160 under G.L.I. 23rd. November 1963
1972 RAI BAHADUR BEHARI LAL No.215 under G.L.I. 27th. December 1972