Paradesi Synagogue Synagogue

Address: Jew Town Road, Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002, India

Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-1:00pm and 3:00pm-5:00pm, closed Mondays and Saturdays (subject to change)

Admission: INR 50 (~$0.60) for entry to Jewish Museum (includes synagogue access)

The Paradesi Synagogue is a 16th-century synagogue in the Mattancherry neighborhood of Kochi, Kerala, established by the Paradesi (foreign) Jewish community. It is the oldest active synagogue in the region and an important heritage site of the Cochin Jewish tradition.

The interior is compact and richly appointed, notable for its hand-painted Chinese floor tiles, brass oil lamps and an array of European chandeliers. Historic Torah scrolls and ritual furnishings are part of the synagogue’s preserved collection.

Founded in 1568 by Sephardic Jews who settled in the port city, the synagogue served the local Jewish community for centuries and today functions as both a place of worship on special occasions and a museum attraction documenting the Cochin Jewish presence.

The synagogue sits in Mattancherry, in the city of Kochi on the southwest coast of India, within the historic district commonly known as Jew Town and close to other colonial-era landmarks.

• Founding and contents: Built in 1568 by the Sephardic (Paradesi) Jewish community of Cochin, it houses historic Torah scrolls and ornate interior fittings dating from the 17th to 19th centuries.
• Interior highlights: Interior highlights include hand-painted Chinese floor tiles and a collection of European chandeliers; the synagogue remains a focal heritage site in Kochi’s ‘Jew Town’ area.

The Paradesi Synagogue is in Kochi’s historic Mattancherry district (Jew Town). From Kochi’s main bus station or Ernakulam Junction train station, take a local taxi or autorickshaw to Mattancherry (approx. 20-30 minutes depending on traffic). The synagogue is a short walk from the Mattancherry Palace.

• The synagogue is closed to visitors on Saturdays for Sabbath observance and on Jewish holidays - plan visits Tuesday-Friday mornings when the museum and offices are open.
• Observe the rules: modest dress is requested and photography inside the synagogue is generally restricted - ask at the entrance.
• Arrive with a few rupees in small denominations for the modest museum fee and the local guide; the Paradesi Synagogue is run by a small staff.