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Writer's pictureLeeji John

Chendamangalam Jewish Tombs


The Jewish synagogue that was built in the fifteenth century by the Malabar Jews or black Jews is located in Kottayil Kovilakam, Chendamangalam in Ernakulam district in Kerala, South India. A quarter century ago, Jewish tombs were found which is not far from the Synagogue. Until around 60 years ago the last Jewish resident should have been buried here. Besides, the archaeological department found out a Hebrew inscription on a tomb that read ‘Sarah Bath Israel’ (which means Sarah, beloved daughter of Israel, rests here) who could have been buried in the year 1264 AD.


So the migration of Jews from Kodungallur to Kottayil Kovilakam will need to go through more exploration. The Jews migration to Chendamangalam was due to some political reasons. Ever since the institution of the Synagogue, the Jewish worship took place regularly.Later nearly all the Jews migrated to their promised land, Israel that the synagogue was abandoned.

However the archaeological department initiated the renovation of synagogue and completed it successfully. In absence of Jewish worshipers the government transformed this synagogue into a museum for visitors. Initially the Jewish tombs were in a deserted stage covered with full of shrubs and thorns that the government took action to maintain it properly.



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