A society that traces its origin to the times of King Solomon, many consider Freemasons a secret society. But, on Wednesday, Freemasons across the world opened their gates to all to celebrate Universal Brotherhood Day.

Closer home in Jamshedpur, 24 members of the city chapter of Freemasonry Society, marked the day at Masonic Temple in Northern Town with a brief prayer service for the distressed.

The members also did their share of social work by offering food to poor children. A few of them donated blood at Jamshedpur Blood Bank.

"Very few people know about us because we don't boast about our work. We gather on the second Saturday of every month for a meeting. We don't take up large projects, but work according to the donations that we receive in through charity from our members," said Parvider Kapoor, one of the members of Freemasonry in Jamshedpur.

Like freemasons everywhere, Kapoor prided in their mysterious philosophy. "We have a code of brotherhood and secret rituals we don't disclose to the outer world. But basically, we are a socially driven outfit of like-minded individuals. Many people consider this place (Masonic Temple) mysterious and haunted but we are just a society that does a lot of good work," smiled Kapoor.

He explained freemasonry was fundamentally a cult based on brotherly love, relief and truth, ethical principles acceptable to all good men.

"We believe in reinforcing kindness at home, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things," Kapoor said.

Freemasons in Jamshedpur are now looking for new members.

"We'd love to have more like-minded people to join us. Read up on freemasons on the Internet or in books. You'll know what we are about," Kapoor said.

Famous personalities like George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin and Henry Ford have all been freemasons.

Interestingly, women are still not allowed to be part of the Society.