The Jews of Cochin also widely known as the Malabar Jews arrived from Spain, Middle East and South Africa in 700 BC to trade with Kerala and established themselves in Cranganore (an old port near Cochin). They mingled themselves with the culture of Kerala and communicated in Judeo-Malayalam, a type of the Malayalam language. The Jews populace however decreased in a drastic manner when the Jewish inhabitants of Kochi and other regions of Kerala departed from India and settled at Israel after the foundation of the Jewish State of Israel.
Location-
The Jewish or Paradesi Synagogue is situated in the Jew Street at the end of the Jewish Cemetery Road with its Hebrew and Malayalam gravestones in the Jew Town of Old Cochin in Kerala. This synagogue shares the same wall with the Mattancherry Palace temple as the structure lies adjacent to it.Nomenclature-
Originally the Jews migrated from the Middle East and other countries and established themselves in 700 BC. As this Synagogue was raised by these Jewish people who were basically foreigners, this place of worship for the Jewish congregation was nicknamed as Pardesi Synagogue, meaning a synagogue belonging to outlanders or foreigners. Pardesi literally means Foreigner in Hindi or other Indian linguistic communication. It is also known as the Mattancherry Synagogue.Significance
– This Jewish Synagogue is highly venerated as it is the oldest place of worship for a Jewish congregation in the Commonwealth of Nations, and is of great historic value to Kerala.History-
This feted Synagogue is 400 years old and was constructed in 1568 by the Jewish community in Kochi or the Malabar Yehudan people when they started staying at Mattancherry after their exclusion from Rahabi. The actual synagogue was erected in the 4th century in Kodungallur (Cranganore) and later it was relocated in Kochi or Cochin and built under the supervision of the King of Kochi with the aid of the Dutch and hence called Pardesi Synagogue. This edifice was constructed in the land, close by the Mattancherry Palace temple, granted to the Malabari Yehuden community by the ruler of Kochi.Architecture
– The Jewish Synagogue is a striking edifice with elaborately carven teak ark, arched brass pillars, Belgian crystal chandeliers and Torah gold crowns adorned with dazzling gems. The floor is made of hand-painted white and blue porcelain tiles brought from Canton and each tile exhibits a different pattern.Objects of Antiquity
- The Jewish Synagogue encloses some ancient relics that are of much historical significance-
- Scrolls of the Law
- Gold crowns that were gifted to the Jews.
- Two Copper plates known as Sasanam that describe the exclusive rights granted to the Jewish congregation during Bhaskara Ravi Varman's rule.
- "Chair of Elijah" is of specific value.
Other information
- The devotees or visitors are expected to enter the Jewish Synagogue barefooted.
- The strict dress code was implemented from April 27, which necessitates men to put on trousers and full shirts and women to wear long skirts extending below the knee while visiting this place of Jewish worship.
- Video cameras not allowed.
Timings; Remains Open from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5pm, The Synagogue is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Connectivity
Air
: The nearest airport is the International Air Port at Nedumbassery, International Cochin Airport about 35 kms away.Rail
: The nearest railway station is at Ernakulam located 13 km from Fort Kochi.Bus
: The bus ride from Ernakulam town, which is 13 km away, involves an hour. KSRTC Central Bus station is close to the Ernakulam Junction railway station.Water
: Kochi is also accessible by a boat from Ernakulam.Last Updated on 24 May 2011
