Jewish Synagogue
March 26, 2010 by admin
Filed under Jewish Synagogue
Jewish Synagogue – Cochin
The Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry in Kochi is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth Nations. It comprises the highest position in the schedule 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 or Mattancherry Synagogue. Paradesi in Hindi means “foreigners” or “visitor. In this case, the term was applied to a synagogue because it was once used by the “White Jews“, a mixture of Jews from Kodungallur (Cranganore), from the Middle East as well as the European exiles.
Constructed in 1568, this Paradesi synagogue was destroyed in 1662 by canon fire during a Portuguese raid and was built two years later when Kochi came under Dutch rule. The Synagogue’s interiors are mesmerizing with interesting features ranging from 19th century glass oil – burning chandeliers from Belgium to a gallery for women suspended by slender gilt columns. There are nearly two hundred and fifty six blue and white willow-pattern tiles, now forming the payment which was brought from Canton in China.
The synagogue is also important in view of the fact that it houses the famous copper plate grant of Bhaskara Ravi Varma dated AD 1000, a golden crown presented by the Maharaja of Travancore in AD 1805 and the great scrolls of the Old Testament. These are marvelous sight at Fort Kochi.
The clock tower was an addition in1760. It is a three – storied edifice. The clock tower has four faces – each showing time in a different script. It’s really a marvel which astonishes us with its grand old appearance.