Thursday, 27 December 2012

Paravur Jewish Synagogue


When Jews arrived in Kochi, they never had to deal with any Antisemitism like their counterparts in other places. The harmonious co-existence of all the religious communities settled in the Kochi-Muziris belt must have made it an ideal location for foreign trade. 
The Paravur Synagogue located near the market in North Paravur is said to have built in 1615. A Jew town had developed around the synagogue but most of the buildings have been reconstructed over a period of time as the Jews left. Some say that the Synagogue in Paravur was built over the ruins of a much more older Synagogue that existed in 1165 which would relate the Jewish entry into Muziris soil as one that happened even before the spice trade. 


The Jewish Synagogue in Jew town, North Paravur.


The Synagogue in Paravur is currently closed as restoration works under the Muziris heritage project are proceeding. Shot on 25th December, 2012.

" The synagogue is attractive; there's a pillared entryway that leads from the two rooms at the main entrance to the prayer place .The prayer hall consists of two rooms; a rectangular room generally used for meetings and the other main prayer room with the Bimah and the Ark. There is a balcony above the eastern entry, on the first floor, which was used by the reader on certain special occasions. The ceiling and the brackets supporting the balcony is decorated with gilded carved wooden rosettes, typical to most synagogues. Behind this balcony is the women's gallery, which can be approached by a staircase that was situated near the entry to the synagogue. "

source : https://www.keralatourism.org/muziris/paravur-Jewish-synagogue.php

How to get there : From Paravur town via the Paravur - Kodungallur road, take a U-turn from the St.Thomas Kottakavu Forane Church before crossing the bridge and take the 3rd left turn through the narrow road of old Jew street that leads to the Synagogue.

https://maps.google.co.in/maps?hl=en&newwindow=1&q=paravur&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl









5 comments:

  1. The Paravur Synagogue has now been renovated and open to public.

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  2. The Synagogue is open again- here are some pictures:
    http://www.minorsights.com/2016/03/india-minor-synagogues-of-kerala.html

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