India: Interior of the Paradesi Synagogue (aka Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue), Kochi (Cochin), Kerala, South India

The Paradesi Synagogue (also known as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or the Mattancherry Synagogue) is the oldest active synagogue in India and also the Commonwealth of Nations. Constructed in 1568, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community. The Paradesi is the only synagogue still active of the original seven.

The Malabari Jews (also known as Cochin Jews) formed a prosperous trading community of Kerala, and they controlled a major portion of the world wide spice trade. In 1568, the Jews of Kerala constructed the Paradesi Synagogue adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace, Cochin, now part of the Indian city of Ernakulam, on land given to them by the Raja of Kochi.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Rainer Krack

Credit:

Pictures From Asia