Mattancherry synagogue to celebrate its 450th anniversary

Mattancherry: The Jewish synagogue in Mattancherry which holds a prominent position in Kochi's glorious cultural history is set to celebrate its 450th anniversary. The elaborate celebrations would begin on 6 December 2018. The members of the Jewish community who migrated to Israel from here, and their children and grand children will fly down to Kochi to take part in the three-day-long festivities. Many youngsters would be visiting the land where their ancestors lived, for the first time. More than 100 guests are expected to arrive from countries like Canada, America, England, and Israel.

The Hanukkah festival which begins on 2nd December would only end on 8th. The festivities would be marked by lighting the Hanukkah Menorah lamp on each day. The majestic lamp which can hold 82 small lamps will be lighted as part of the Simchat Torah festival. The interiors of the synagogue would be elegantly decorated with jasmine garlands and fresh flowers.

The Jewish synagogue was built in 1568 at the 25.5 cents plot which was granted to the community by the king of Cochin, Ramavarma. The centuries old hanging lamps and the exquisite handcrafted Chinese tiles are some of the highlighting features of the synagogue. It was in 1968 that the synagogue celebrated its 400th anniversary. The festivities were inaugurated by the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.