Jerin Soman

Mala Synagogue was the religious, social and educational center of a small, vibrant Jewish community.

There are differences of opinions as to when the Synagogue was built.
(1). It was built in CE 1000 with the help of king of Cranganoor
(Kodungalloor) according to a Jewish Malayalam folk song.
(2). It was destroyed by unknown reasons and was later rebuilt in CE
1400.
(3). It was renovated in CE 1792.
(4). Some contend that first Mala Synagogue dates to a later period, to
CE 1597.

Tipu Sultan heavily damaged this Synagogue during his war against the British in CE 1780s.

In Dec 1954, just before the Jewish community left for Israel, an agreement was signed by the Synagogue trustees to turn over ownership and use of the building to the panchayat for no remuneration. The decommissioned Synagogue was initially converted to government offices and it also served as a venue for civic and educational functions. The building including the gatehouse and its grounds were altered after its function changed.

Due to poor maintenance from the local authority, it is in ruins.
Still the synagogue building would give us a glimpse of a rich cultured Jewish community that thrived among the Kerala population as shop owners, agriculturalists and traders until they returned to their promised land, Israel around 1955.

There is no entry fee. You need to go to the Mala Grama Panchayat which is 350 meters from the synagogue (2 min drive) to get the key to enter inside the synagogue. A staff of mala Panchayat office will accompany you. We were told that some of the Jews come back every year to visit their synagogue. At that time, the building and the surrounding would get cleaned and maintained properly.

Pictures are from June 2019.

Visited on June 2nd, 2019.

Paravur Synagogue was built in 1164 and it is maintained that the Synagogue was rebuilt many times over (in AD 1586 and 1616) especially after the Portuguese destroyed it in 16th century AD. The Synagogue belonged to the malabari/black/brown Jews.

The "Tharisappalli Copper Plates" that is displayed (a replica actually) inside the synagogue is the earliest clearly dated document in Kerala History which ascertains the Jewish presence here.

"The Jewish Copper Plates" (displayed along with Tharisappalli Copper Plates) which is from AD 1000 is one that ascertain the esteem, consideration and privilege that the Jewish community enjoyed in kerala of the middle ages. This documents puts on record the list of 72 privileges that king of Kochi granted to the Jewish leader at that time.

There is a second "Bema" or "Theva" in the balcony where the Torah recital during the sabbath and festival days are conducted. This ensured that the women who were present in their enclosure in the balcony too can clearly listen to the recital.

There are only 20-30 Jews left Kerala today as other Jews went back to Israel in the 1950s after Israel became a nation in 1948. It could be a part of an ongoing fulfillment of prophecies we see in Isaiah 11:12, Ezekiel 34:13, Jeremiah 23:3 etc.

An awesome place to visit for lovers of history of Jews in Kerala. This Synagogue was active until 1985 when majority (almost all of them) of Jews left for Israel. The Synagogue and its surrounding are well kept. Both the original "Hekel" or (Ark) and "Bema" (Theva) were taken to Israel.
Now they have replicas inside the Synagogue which are carefully crafted.

Guides are available and they do a good job walking you inside the Synagogue.

Photography is allowed on the premises even though it is stated otherwise at the entrance signage. You could spend a good one hour here.

Entrance fee - Rs. 55 (Adult), Rs. 45 (Seniors), Rs. 20 (Children 7-12 years), Free (Children below 7 years), Rs. 15 (Students with ID card) and Rs. 105 (Foreigner).

Credit and Debit cards are accepted.

Visiting Hours 10 am - 5 pm (Monday holiday).