Knesset Eliyahoo, Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Kala Ghoda district, Mumbai, India.
Knesset Eliyahoo is an Orthodox synagogue in the Kala Ghoda district of Mumbai featuring a turquoise exterior with a stone masonry basement and brick upper structure. The interior showcases Victorian stained glass windows, ornate pillars, a marble-bordered platform for prayer services, and a women's gallery positioned on the upper level.
Jacob Elias Sassoon founded this synagogue in 1884 as the second Sephardic house of prayer in Mumbai, commissioning British architects Gostling and Morris for its design. The building has long stood as a testament to the established Jewish presence in the city and reflects the architectural language of British India from that era.
The synagogue reflects the presence of the Sephardic community in Mumbai and shows how Jewish communities shaped their religious spaces with local architectural influences. The interior with its decorated columns and separate women's gallery demonstrates traditional Jewish practices that have been passed down through generations in this Indian city.
The building stands in downtown Mumbai on Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg and is easy to spot from outside thanks to its distinctive turquoise facade. Visitors should be aware that access may be limited by time constraints and it is worth checking conditions on location beforehand.
A comprehensive restoration in 2019 helped the building recover its original color scheme of white with indigo borders that had faded over time. This project earned recognition with a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Merit, making the historic structure visible once again in its earlier appearance.
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