Jewish Synagogue

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Sight Address : Jewish Synagogue is located in what is today known as the Jew Town in the Kochi city of Kerala. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Jewish synagogue built in Jew Town in 1568 is a beautiful structure. This place of worship attracts numerous visitors every year because of its impressive furnishings. There are splendid Chinese tiles and impressive Belgian chandeliers that have been used to decorate throughout the entire synagogue.On top of the exquisite decorations in the synagogue, giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. Even though it seems a little unusual for a Jewish place of worship to be found in India, Jews actually started to live in the area beginning in around 700BC. This particular Jewish synagogue can be found near the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry.

jewish-synagogue-cochin

HistoryEdit

Jewish Synagogue in the port city of Kochi is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations. Thus, it comprises the topmost slot in the itinerary of the tourists visiting the city. Malabar Yehudan People, or Cochin Jewish community, constructed this synagogue in 1568. It is also known by the name of Paradesi Synagogue and Mattancherry Synagogue. Paradesi is Hindi meaning “foreigners”. In this case, the term was applied to a synagogue because it was once used by the “White Jews”, a mixture of Jews from Cranganore, from the Middle East as well as the European exiles. Among all the common wealth countries of the world, the Jewish Synagogue, Kochi is the oldest existing synagogue. The prosperous Jewish trading community built it in 1568 AD. It was partially destroyed in the 1962 war. Later it was rebuilt by the Dutch. This speaks for the historical importance of the monument.

Must SeeEdit

Must see

Visiting TimeEdit

10 am to 12 pm & 3 to 5 pm

Closed OnEdit

Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

Best Season to VisitEdit

September to May.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1 to 2 Hours.

Ticket Required : Yes Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : Rs 5

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : Rs 5

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

Sri Krishna Café – Kochi ; Near Gujerati road in Mattanchery, away from fort cochin and jew town. ; Ph/M – N.A. ; Food Serve – Dosai, Poori, Parotha and Masala dosa.

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : After reaching Cochin, you can hire a cab, taxi, bus or auto-rickshaw to reach here.

BUS : Overnight buses are available from Bangalore (500 km, 11 hours, Rs 900 for AC Volvo) and Chennai (700 km, 12 hours, Rs 1,200 for AC Volvo).

Train : Nearest railway station: Ernakulam

Air : Kochi has its own airport and regular flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Tickets are very economical (Rs 2,500-4,000).

Others : Autorickshaw : This is a cheap method of transport between attractions. You can find an auto stand at almost every bus stop, and at important places near junctions and residential areas. Make sure you agree on a fare with the driver before the journey. The govt fixed rates starts at Rs 10 for the first 1.25 km and Rs 6 per km thereafter with a premium of 15% at night (7PM-6AM).

Things to CarryEdit

Carrying camera , water, sunscreen, and Loose light weight cloths.

Safety / WarningEdit

Keep your mobile in silent mode.
Cameras and handbags are not allowed inside the Synagogue.
Kochi is infamous for mosquitoes, due to presence of large water bodies across the city. Make sure any room you book, has mosquito repellents or at least a mosquito net. Its always better to have any anti-mosquito creams or spice oil extracts like lemongrass oil to ward off mosquito bites.
Public smoking bans are strictly enforced in the city more so than in other regions. The High Court of Kerala has decreed a public smoking ban across the state. Smoking on the roadside, in shopping complexes, restaurants, and parks is illegal and police can charge Rs 500-1,000 for breaches.