Those days, as there was no other way other than the sea route for migration, Jews in 562 BC came to the Cranganore, Cochin, as traders. Many Jewish people came in as exiles to the port of Kochi, in 70AD. When the Hebrew King Solomon was in power, it was at that time trading of ivories, spices, wood, monkeys, and peacocks was at its peak in Cochin.

Though the synagogue belongs to the Jews, doesn’t the word Paradesi sound like an Indian-originated word? Indeed, it is. The word ‘Paradesi’ means foreigner. It is substantial to note that King Rama Varma has given the land to the Jews which is adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace temple. In the world of religious warfare, it is our duty to honour the king who had such a heart that beats for the welfare of his whole country, not for his people alone.

Among all the other seven synagogues, Paradesi is the only one that is still in use. When you step into the Paradesi synagogue you witness the traditional touch of many cultures that came in by trade. This Jewish temple has been built in an awesome combination of Indian, Chinese, European, and Middle Eastern designs, that made this stand out of the box. This synagogue stands as evidence of the early arrival and settlement of the Jews in India and also an introduction to the culture and heritage of Judaism.

As every worship place has its holy book, a synagogue has its Torah. The compound is decorated with rich and old antiques that were received from all over the world. The majestic Belgian glass chandeliers that umbrella your head, the 10th-century copper plates with Old Malayalam inscriptions, the brass railed pulpit that carries the look of a chariot, and a definite mention of the incredible hand-painted porcelain Chinese tiles, all these were fixed to their respective places as a treat to the eyes of the visitors.

The exquisite handmade tiles were imported from Canton in China by Ezekiel Rahabi in 1762. About 1100 in number, these tiles are in willow pattern which is made up of four repetitive designs. These designs are the representation of a famous and great love story that is mentioned in an old Chinese poem:

“Two pigeons, lover's flying high, A Chinese vessel was sailing by, Weeping Willow hanging o'er, Bridge with lover's, father sore Koong-Shee and Chang did fly, To a small house not close by, Happy lovers, ne'er a frown, Little house was burn't to ground. Ne'er no more were lover's seen, Weeping Willows, sorrow, trees. Empassioned love birds in the sky Their love, true love, ne'er will die”

Another story behind the manifestation of these tiles in the synagogue is different. These tiles were imported to embellish the palace of the king of Cochin. A clever jew put the thought into the mind of the king that those tiles were made with various components including the cow’s blood. As the cow was a sacred animal to the king, he refused to take the tiles and gave those to his Jew friend which are now beautifully sitting on the floors of the Paradesi synagogue.

This rectangular divine place is white-walled, secured with wrought-iron gates and the David star had enhanced the beauty. Another notable antiquity is the tower clock, where the numbers are represented in four numerals: Hebrew, Roman, Arabic, and Malayalam.

The Paradesi Synagogue is open for visitors and tourists except on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and also during Jews holidays and should be visited barefoot. Men, do not forget to wear shirts and trousers; women should wear skirts below knee length. The Jews have the Rabbi who is similar to a priest. With this unique and ancient synagogue, Cochin has become an area for the Jews - the Jews of Malabar.