Synagogues: The Jewish Cultural Remains in Kerala

Abstract

Synagogues are Jewish places of worship (Prayer Halls).The Jewish communities who came to Kerala settled in Kodungallur and Kochi. They received special rights and privileges from the local Kings and engaged in trade. The Jews who settled in and around Kodungallur constructed their prayer halls which is one of the cultural remains left by them. There were 12 synagogues in Kerala. When Jews began their return to Israel, there was worship in eight synagogues, out of which seven were in the old Kochi kingdom and Paravur synagogue in Thiruvithamkode (outside Kochi). The synagogues in old Kochi include Kochangadi Synagogue, Kadavumbhagam synagogue (Eranakulam), Kadavumbhagam synagogue (Mattanchery), Mala Synagogue, Paradesi Synagogue, Thekkumbhagam synagogue, and Chendamangalam synagogue. In fact, these are the synagogues, the Jewish cultural remains in Kerala.