Madras is also the fountainhead of the theosophical movement, which spread worldwide. The Theosophical Society is located along the Adyar River. Discourses are conducted here under a huge banyan tree, which spreads to almost 40,000 sq. ft. of area. This society was started in 1875 with the help of Annie Besant, a foreigner to India, who wanted to revive Hindu culture and values back to India.