Parur Synagogue in Kerala, India (near Cochin)
The current building dates to 1616 that was built on the site of an earlier synagogue that dates to the 12th century. The entrance from the outside passes through a long straight corridor lined with columns which creates an atmosphere of serenity and isolation in the inner courtyard as one approaches. To the right of the entrance is a plaque in Hebrew. Here is a unique place where the Jewish population departed not because of danger or oppression, but for idealistic reasons: after the State of Israel was established in 1948, most of the Jews from this region departed for Israel, to return to their ancient homeland from which they had been exiled. The interior of this synagogue has been fully restored and is now in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
