Story of our ‘Paradesis’

The Paradesi Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in the Commonwealth of India and is situated in the city of Kochi in Kerala. It is also known as the Cochin Jewish Synagogue and is considered a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish community in India. The synagogue was built in 1568 by the Spanish and Portuguese Jews, who had fled from the Inquisition in their native countries and sought refuge in India.

The Paradesi Synagogue outer complex; Source: Wikimedia Commons

How often do we come across instances in modern history where the persecuted have found a new home, have been accepted and have found a way to assimilate? The answers are rare.  From the Middle Eastern Refugees to the Rohingya, xenophobia and fears of cultural shift are widespread.

However, one place in suburban Kochi achieved this some 500 years ago by assimilating and accepting a religious community that has been discriminated against and persecuted all across the globe for thousands of years.

The Paradesi Synagogue or the Cochin Jewish Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in the commonwealth of India and is situated in the city of Kochi in the state of Kerala. It was built in 1568 and is considered a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish community in India.

Built by the Paradesi Jewish Community- a community of Jews from Spain who were expelled from Spain throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, the Paradesi Synagogue is also one of the oldest synagogues in the Commonwealth of India.

The Spanish and Portuguese Jewish communities escaped the Spanish Inquisitions and fled from Spain in the 16th century and moved to India. This Paradesi Synagogue was built by them and is regarded as a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Indian Jewish Community.

The Paradesi Synagogue is a beautiful structure, with a mix of Hindu and Jewish architectural styles. The entrance to the synagogue is through a beautifully carved wooden gate, which opens into a large courtyard surrounded by white-washed walls. The central prayer hall is located on the first floor and is reached by a flight of stairs. The prayer hall is square, with high walls and a beautifully carved wooden ceiling. It is illuminated by a series of large glass chandeliers and is adorned with several antique artefacts and sacred texts. One of the most unique and striking features of the Paradesi Synagogue is its beautiful floor tiles, which were brought from China by Jewish traders. The tiles are made of porcelain and are arranged in intricate geometric patterns, creating a beautiful and harmonious composition. Another interesting feature of the synagogue is its hand-painted wooden ark, which houses the Torah scrolls. The ark is intricately carved and painted and is considered one of the finest examples of Jewish woodwork in India. In addition to its religious significance, the Paradesi Synagogue is also an important cultural and historical site.

Over the centuries, it has served as a centre for Jewish life in Kochi and has played a vital role in the preservation of Jewish culture and traditions in India. During the British colonial period, the synagogue served as a hub of Jewish cultural and intellectual life, attracting scholars, intellectuals, and artists from all over the world. Today, the Paradesi Synagogue continues to serve as an important centre of Jewish worship and culture in India. Despite its age and the many challenges, it has faced over the centuries, it has been carefully preserved and restored and continues to be a major tourist attraction in Kochi. In addition to its religious and cultural significance, the synagogue is also a symbol of the rich diversity and tolerance of Indian society and is a testament to the deep connections between the Jewish and Indian communities.

The Synagogue attracts many pilgrims and tourists from Israel every year who have been associated with the place for generations now. Many Israelis regard passing on the tradition of regular visits to this place as a tradition to the next generations and this process has become a ritual over the years.

This Synagogue thus becomes the centre piece of not only the cultural heritage of the Indian Jewish Community but also of the highly persecuted International Jewish Community.

Although named ‘Paradesi’ or ‘Foreign’ the Paradesi Synagogue at Mattancherry, has been assimilated into Indian heritage and history and is often seen and treated as a native religious site by the locals, despite the turbulent Indo-Portuguese relations in the region and India’s Colonial past.

The Paradesi Synagogue is a magnificent structure representing not only the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish community in India but also the history of India. It is a symbol of Jewish worship and culture, a center of Jewish life, and an important part of the cultural and historical fabric of Kochi and India. Its beautiful architecture, intricate floor tiles, and hand-painted wooden ark make it a unique and fascinating destination for tourists and visitors from all over the world.

Glass chandeliers, Antique artefacts and sacred texts along with the iconic Chinese floor tiles of the prayer hall; Source: Jeem, Wikimedia Commons.