Chendamangalam Synagogue, Jewish synagogue in Chendamangalam, India
Chendamangalam Synagogue is a Jewish house of worship in Kerala that now operates as a museum dedicated to local Jewish heritage. Inside, you will see a central brass platform for readings, a sacred ark set into the western wall, and a separate entrance that leads to an external women's gallery.
This building was completed during the early Renaissance and underwent major renovations centuries later. It served one of the oldest Jewish communities along the Malabar coast, whose roots stretch back over 900 years.
The synagogue sits in a village where people of different faiths have long coexisted. Walking around, you find a Hindu temple, a Christian church, and a mosque all nearby, showing how this community has always welcomed different beliefs.
The building now serves as a museum open to visitors on weekdays, allowing time to explore the interior at your own pace. You can move through the rooms and read about the history of the Jewish community that once lived here.
In a corner of the courtyard sits an old tombstone carved with Hebrew text from the 13th century. It stands as one of the earliest Jewish grave markers ever discovered in this part of India.
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