Jewish Synagogue, Fort Kochi, Kerala
Jewish Synagogue is located in Jew Town of Fort Kochi area of Cochin, Kerala. I visited there on Sunday which was also the Hebrew new year and the Synagogue was closed. So I could not see it from inside. To reach there we had go through narrow lane but it was clean. It is also known by the name Paradesi (foreigner) Synagogue and is the oldest active Synagogue in India and the entire commonwealth of Nations. It was built in 1568 by the Malabar Jews community.
The first Synagogue was built in the 4th century at Kodungallur near Cochin and was destroyed during the Portuguese occupation. Paradesi Synagogue was built adjacent to the Mattencherry palace on land provided by the then king of Cochin. The Synagogue has various codes of tradition. The small tower of the Synagogue has a bell and a old roman letter clock on the wall.
At the entrance I found a board asking people to dress modestly inside the Synagogue. I was told as of now there are only 9 Jew families there. There is an entry fee to the Synagogue.