The Complete Guide to a Kosher Trip to Kochi

Kochi (Cochin), the historic port city in Kerala, was home to one of the world's oldest and most fascinating Jewish communities — the "White Jews" (Paradesi) who settled here centuries ago, alongside the even older Bene Israel community. The Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, built in 1568, is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. Here's a short guide to planning your visit.

The Paradesi Synagogue — Belgian and Chinese treasures

The Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1662 after the Portuguese destroyed it, features Belgian bronze chandeliers, hand-painted 18th-century Chinese porcelain floor tiles, a carved teak ark, and a rug that was a gift from Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie. Its most important treasure: 1,600-year-old copper plates documenting the Jewish community's rights, granted by the King of Cochin. Small entrance fee, closed on Saturday.

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Chabad House, Jew Town

A small Chabad house operates on Synagogue Lane, right by the Paradesi, marked with a yellow Moshiach flag. The local community is very tiny today, so meals and prayers require advance coordination — but that's exactly the opportunity to meet this rare Indian-Jewish story up close.

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The Chinese Fishing Nets — sunset with the fishermen

The giant bamboo-and-teak fishing net installations at Vasco da Gama Square, brought to Kochi according to local tradition from the court of Kublai Khan in the 14th century, are the city's most photographed sight. Practical tip: arrive at sunset, when the fishermen operate the nets and the orange sky creates the iconic silhouette — you can also buy fresh fish directly from them for dinner.

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Mattancherry Palace — the Hindu murals

Mattancherry Palace (the Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later renovated by the Dutch, sits right next to the Paradesi Synagogue — so both visits can be combined in the same outing. The palace is famous for its stunning Hindu murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

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Between the 450-year-old Paradesi Synagogue and the Chinese fishing nets and Mattancherry Palace, Kochi offers a rare and unforgettable encounter with one of the world's most fascinating, lesser-known Jewish histories.