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Chendamangalam

Chendamangalam
Village
Chendamangalam Jewish Synagogue
Chendamangalam Jewish Synagogue
Chendamangalam is located in Kerala
Chendamangalam
Chendamangalam
Chendamangalam is located in India
Chendamangalam
Chendamangalam
Coordinates: 10°10′47″N 76°12′35″E / 10.1797°N 76.2097°E / 10.1797; 76.2097Coordinates: 10°10′47″N 76°12′35″E / 10.1797°N 76.2097°E / 10.1797; 76.2097
Country India
State Kerala
District Ernakulam
Taluk Paravur
Area
 • Total 10.83 km2 (4.18 sq mi)
Population
 • Total 28,133
 • Density 2,477/km2 (6,420/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 683512
Telephone code 0484
Vehicle registration KL-42
Website [1]

Chendamangalam (or Chennamangalam) is a small town and a panchayat in Paravur Taluk, Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India.

It is about 23 km from Ernakulam. It has three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and large expanses of green plain.

The Paliam Palace, residence of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the former Maharajas of Kochi, is one of the architectural splendours of Kerala. The Palace is over 450 years old and houses a collection of historic documents and relics.

The hillocks at Kottayil Kovilakam are unique as the site of a Hindu temple, a Syrian Christian church, a mosque and a restored Jewish synagogue, all within 1 km of each other. The synagogue was built in 1614 AD and is in a peaceful wooded area. In the courtyard behind the synagogue, it is possible to find old Jewish graves, including one of a Jewish woman, dated 1264 AD.

The Jews arrived in Chendamangalam after the destruction of the second temple and the final desolation of Jerusalem in (AD 69) and founded a colony. They moved to Fort Kochi in 1341 AD after the Great flood. All the synagogues in Kerala - Chendamangalam, Mala, and Kochi - have similar traditional architectural features: a central bimah of brass or silver metal on a concrete or stone base, an ark on the western wall, a balcony above the eastern entry to the sanctuary that is used by the reader on certain holidays. Behind the balcony is the women's gallery, with a stairway leading up to it, usually from outside the building.


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