Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue
Former synagogue in Kochi, Kerala, India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue aka Kadavumbhagam Synagogue (Mal: കടവു൦ഭാഗ൦ മട്ടാഞ്ചേരി ജൂതപള്ളി or കടവു൦ഭാഗ൦ ജൂതപള്ളി) is a Jewish synagogue located in Mattancherry, a locality in Kochi, in the coastal state of Kerala. It is one of the oldest extant synagogues in India, built in 1544 A.D.[1][2][3] It was built by the Malabar Jews who are the oldest jewish settlers in India, believed to have arrived as traders in the ancient port city of Muziris.[4][5][6][7] It was the second to be built in Mattancherry, after the Kochangadi Palli in 1344 A. D., and is one of three synagogues in the area.[5][7][6] The others being the Thekkumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue (1647 A.D) (extinct) and the Paradesi Synagogue (1568 A.D) of the Paradesi jews of Cochin.
| Kadavumbhagam Mattancherry Synagogue
בית הכנסת കടവു൦ഭാഗ൦ മട്ടാഞ്ചേരി ജൂതപള്ളി | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Interiors of the synagogue in the Israel Museum | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Sephardi |
| Status | Under restoration |
| Location | |
| Location | Mattancherry, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Geographic coordinates | 9.953125°N 76.2603797°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Style | Cochin Jewish Architecture |
| Completed | 1544 A.D |
| Direction of façade | South |
The name of the synagogue is believed to refer to a much older synagogue that once stood in Kodungaloor.[6][7][5][4] This synagogue is considered as one of the most ornately carved and decorated Malabar Synagogues in Kerala, particularly its wooden furnishes and interior sanctuary.[8][9][7] The name means "by the riverside" and refers to a boat dock that stood opposite the complex until the 1960s.[6][10][8][7] This palli (synagogue) was renowned for its divine miracles and stories associated and was revered by both the Malabar Jews and non Jewish locals.[11][10][12]
In 1955, the entire congregation made aliyah to Israel leaving the synagogue in disuse. It was initially encroached upon and later made into a warehouse for coir storage.[7][2][6][5] The interior furniture and women's bimah were shipped and preserved in the Israel Museum while it's hekal is presently in moshav Nehalim in Israel.[6][7][8][10]
In September 2019, after decades of neglect, the entire front portion of the sanctuary collapsed in the heavy monsoon rainfall.[13] After much public outcry,[14] the Kerala Archaeology Department took possession of the monument to save it.[12][13] Currently it is being restored to function as a heritage museum.[9][15][12]
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