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.
Abhilash Nandan (SHIFTED_GEAR)
It was a nice experience to visit here... Didn't see it from the main road.looks like vintage style...
Travel On Roads
Government Authority should take more seriousness to get this place keep well and cleaned always and provide permission to public to get more knowledge about the Jewish rich Community who where here in Mala and went to Isreal on 1955.
Jithin George279 days ago
Even though the synagogue in itself is serene, but the way it is being maintained by the archeological survey is pathetic. Last time when I visited this place, the renovation works were going on. But today when I see it, it is worst than the last day. The archeological survey of inida who calls it a so " Muziris heritage " Site doesn't undertakes efforts to restore it. To be honest I am really disappointed.
Jinesh Chathakudam1 year ago
The Mala Synagogue (Malayalam: മാള ജൂതപ്പള്ളി) is one of the oldest extant synagogues in India and was built by the historic Malabar Jews of Kerala. It is located at Mala, a small town in Thrissur district of Kerala state in south India. The Mala synagogue is owned and managed by the Mala Panchayat now. During 1954–1955,due to the Aliyah of the Malabar Jewish community from Kerala to Israel, the community had handed over both the Mala Synagogue and the associated Jewish Cemetery to the Mala Panchayat for safekeeping. The Synagogue is currently defunct and does not have any religious material inside it.
Sharon Sudheer2 years ago
Government must preserve such buildings of high historical importance. The synagogue stands in a poor state and none of the locals seem to value this building.
Sebastian CP2 years ago
This building is now under renewation. Visiters are allowed.
Harinarayanan S2 years ago
The condition of this site is depressing, considering it's historic and cultural importance. The structure appears to be in a fairly good condition, but the site is locked and the plot has a lot of overgrowth. The authorities should find a quick solution with the surrounding shopkeepers so that the site can be made into a heritage site without affecting the livelihoods of those who live nearby.
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.
The authorities should find a quick solution with the surrounding shopkeepers so that the site can be made into a heritage site without affecting the livelihoods of those who live nearby.