Over 10 years of experience conducting Jewish Heritage tours in Kerala.
Visit 6 ancient synagogues and explore 3000+ years of Jewish heritage.
Air-conditioned transport, entrance tickets, and refreshments included.
Based at Muziris - India's first Jewish settlement, the Jerusalem of the East.
Muziris was India's first Jewish settlement dating back to King Solomon's merchant fleet in 961 BC.
Muziris was India's ancient harbor until 1341 AD, known as the Jerusalem of the East with Jewish, Christian, and Islamic settlements.
Built in 1568 AD
Built in 1200 AD
Built in 1200 AD
Built in 1145 AD (Rebuilt in 1615 AD)
Built in 1420 AD (Rebuilt 1614 AD)
Built in 1000 AD (Refugee's Land)
Cochin & Muziris, Kerala, India
India’s first Jewish settlement was at Muziris. Muziris was the ancient harbour of India till 1341 AD. Located 35 Kilometer North of Cochin in Kerala State – India. History says that the First Jews arrived in Kerala from King Solomon’s Merchant Fleet (961 BC). Muziris was also known as the Jerusalem of the East. Indias First Jewish, Christian and Islamic settlements were at Muziris, 961 BC, 52 AD and 629 AD respectively.
“Muziris” has a lot to tell about the history of the Jews. Luckily we are the Muziris Based Tour Operators. We are an establishment in Cochin, that has been conducting Jewish Heritage tours (in Kerala-India) for over ten years now. If you can spend one day in Cochin, we assure you, that we shall help you visit six Jewish synagogues, now present in Kerala, as well as two old Jewish settlement areas.
Within a Ten kilometre radius of our residence at Kottappuram-Muziris, you can see or visit more than 15 (Fifteen) Historical monuments, including centuries old 3 (Three) Jewish Synagogues. www.muzirisphototourindia.com
India’s first Jewish settlement was here in 961 BC to 1524 AD — “Kodungallur”, in Kerala State, India.
While King Solomon was building the great Temple at Jerusalem in BC 961, the Jews were having trade links with Kerala in the South-West coast of India, embracing the Arabian sea.
The first Jewish settlement in India was at Kodungallur, located 35 kilometers North of Cochin in Kerala, India. These were the ancient names of Kodungallur — Shingly by Jews, Muziris by Greek Romans and Cranganore by Portuguese. Kodungallur was the only sea port (1000 BC) in India known to the outside world.
Nearly 3000 years back Kodungallur has been keeping trade relations with ISRAEL. Many Jewish traders who came to Kodungallur for trade purpose settled here, as they could not return to their country, due to turbulent weather and rough sea. When the second temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, many Jewish families who had heard of the tolerance, generosity and hospitality of the people of Kodungallur, from their brethren who had settled here, ventured to this place. Then the Hindu rulers as well as the people of Kodungallur gave them a warm welcome and they settled here enjoying the love, compassion and security the Kodungallurities (People of Kodungallur) gave them.
History says that the first Jews arrived in Kerala in King Solomon’s Merchant fleet. St Thomas arrived in Kodungallur in 52 AD. St. Thomas was welcomed by a Jewish Flute Girl. He stayed in the Jewish quarter of the town and some Jews are said to have been baptized by him at Kodungallur. As there were no Jews then in any other part of India, the Conversion must necessarily have taken place at Kodungallur. It is interesting to learn that even today some of the hymns chanted in the Synagogues, especially on Jewish Holy days, are called Shingly Melodies. The attachment of the Jews to Kodungallur was so strong that till recently a handful of Shingly sand found a place in the Coffin of every Jew along with that from the Holy Land.
The valuable spices of Kerala, such as Pepper, Cardamom, Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Turmeric etc., had attracted the Jews to Kerala by crossing the turbulent seas centuries ago. Their in-born qualities of high intelligence and adventurous perseverance helped them to cross the seas and all kinds of terrible obstacles and settle down and flourish in far away countries.
The old Jews here are getting nostalgic. They say “We are dreaming of King Solomon’s ships embarking at Cochin port and returning with precocious spices of Kerala. As the voice of the bugle of the Solomon’s ship in the dream fade away in the air, we are vanishing in the sands of Cochin where the mortal remains of our ancestors rest in peace”.
Muziris in a 1st Century A.D. Map
35 Kilometer North of Cochin
In and around a Ten (10) Kilometer radius of my village Kottappuram – Muziris, you can see and visit more than Fifteen (15) Historical monuments, including Three (3) centuries old Jewish Synagogues, namely Paravur Jewish Synagogue – 1145 AD, Mala Jewish Synagogue – 1000 AD and Chennamangalam Jewish Synagogue – 1614 AD.
Toronto
Moryoussef
Montreal Canada
Experience Kerala's rich Jewish heritage with our expert guides. We are Muziris-based tour operators with over 10 years of experience. Contact us to book your unforgettable journey through 3,000+ years of Jewish history in India.
+91 9847058984 / +91 6282316578
ron@cochinmuziristrails.com
$75 per person - Payment after tour