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Believed to have been constructed in 1400 CE, Mala Synagogue in Thrissur district is one of the oldest synagogues in India. The current structure is believed to have been built during the 20th century, when the old building was renovated.
Located at the centre of town, this was a place of worship for around 40 families of Malabar Jews who had settled here. In the first half of the 1950s, these families migrated to Israel.
Though the synagogue does not have any religious importance now, it has an important heritage value, and is a building of rare architectural elegance. Today the synagogue along with the nearby cemetery is maintained by Mala panchayat.
The main building houses an azara or anteroom, double-height prayer space or sanctuary, a tebah (bimah) at the centre of the room, and a heckal (ark) at the far end of the sanctuary on the west wall.
The second floor has a shallow wooden balcony and a second tebah which are reached by a steep corner stair. There is a women’s seating area behind a partition wall and just above the azara.
The Jewish cemetery is located a short distance to the east of the synagogue.
To have a preview of the synagogue, check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqihFA8yQpM
Contact
DTPC Thrissur
Ph: +91 487 2320800
Getting There
Nearest Railway Station: Thrissur, about 40 km
Nearest Airport: Cochin, about 25 km
Topics: Judasim Pilgrim Centre Synagogue Thrissur
