The Paravur Synagogue, situated in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, stands as a historic testament to the Jewish community that once thrived in the region. Built in 1616 on the ruins of an earlier synagogue from 1164, it was reconstructed under the leadership of David Yaacov Castiel, the fourth mudaliyar (community leader of the Jews of Kerala). Patronized by Malabari Jews, descendants of unions between European Jews and local natives, the synagogue reflects a rich history intertwined with Kerala's cultural fabric.

Of all the synagogues in Kerala, the Paravur Synagogue is the largest and longest, blending Jewish traditions with Kerala's architectural elements. The prayer hall, with its Holy Ark housing the Torah and its wooden rosette-adorned ceiling, is typical of a traditional synagogue. However, distinctive features like the Padippura (gateway), unique lamps and special seating arrangements for women reflect local influences. The Portuguese elements in the design further enhance its architectural charm, a testimony to the historical interactions between Jews and European settlers.

Over the centuries, the synagogue has endured significant challenges. It was bombarded during the Portuguese invasion in 1635, later rebuilt by a wealthy family, and damaged again during Tipu Sultan’s invasion in the late 1700s. By the mid-20th century, the mass migration of Kerala’s Jewish community to Israel left the synagogue largely inactive. Its original Bimah and Holy Ark were relocated to Israel in the 1990s, and the structure was handed over to the Government of Kerala in 2009.

Under the Muziris Heritage Project, extensive renovations were carried out between 2010 and 2013, transforming the site into the Kerala Jews History Museum. Today, the synagogue stands as a symbol of Kerala’s multicultural legacy, offering visitors an insight into the traditions, struggles and contributions of the Jewish community in the region.