The oldest of the three Jewish communities, traders from Palestine arrived in the city of Cochin 2,500 years ago. Assimilated with the local populace, the community built synagogues and colonies there. The Jewish synagogue in Cochin is a protected heritage site and is a popular tourist destination. Knanaya and Nasrani, Christian groups in India with strong historical ties to Judaism, Religion in India Indian Jews - Bene Israel. Main article: Bene Israel Including:

• Indian Jews - Cochin Jews
• Indian Jews - Bene Israel
• Indian Jews - Baghdadi Jews
• Indian Jews - Bnei Menashe
• Indian Jews - Bene Ephraim
• Indian Jews - Today

Read more here: » Indian Jews: Encyclopedia - Indian Jews

See also:

Knanaya, Knanaya - History, Knanaya - Contemporary Knanaya customs and traditions, Knanaya - Knanaya community at present

Read more here: » Knanaya: Encyclopedia II - Knanaya - History

Today most of Cochin's Jews have emigrated (principally to Israel). In Kerala there are still three synagogues; the one at Mattancherry, Cochin is still functioning. Another reason why there was a reduction in Jewish population in old times was conversion to Christianity. Both during the time of St. Thomas in Kerala and later, many Jews joined the Nasrani people in Kerala. They intermingled especially with the Knanaya Chris ...

See also:

Cochin Jews, Cochin Jews - History, Cochin Jews - Cochin Jews today, Cochin Jews - Ruby of Cochin

Read more here: » Cochin Jews: Encyclopedia II - Cochin Jews - Cochin Jews today

Kerala 52 (including Cochin, Ernakulam, Parur, Aluva) USA   Bene Israel   Cochin Jews   Other Jewish groups Cochin Jews, also called Malabar Jews are the ancient Jews and their descendants of the South Indian port city of Cochin. They traditionally spoke Judæo-Malayalam, a form of the Malayalam tongue, native to the state of Kerala, in India. Several rounds of immigration of the Jewish diaspora into Kerala led to a diversity amongst the C ...

Including:

• Cochin Jews - History
• Cochin Jews - Cochin Jews today
• Cochin Jews - Ruby of Cochin

Read more here: » Cochin Jews: Encyclopedia - Cochin Jews

Cranganore (modern day Kodungallur) and known in ancient times as Shinkli, Muchiri (anglicised to Muziris), Muyirikkodu, Muchiripattinam was a famous and prosperous sea-port at the mouth of the Periyar (also known as Choorni Nadi) river in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is located about 38 km from the present day city of Kochi at 10°13′N 76°13′E. The name Muchiri (Malayalam for broken lips) denotes the three branches of the Periyar river that open into the Arabian Sea at the town. Kodu ...

Including:

• Kodungallur - Ancient fame
• Kodungallur - Flood of 1341AD
• Kodungallur - Sights
• Kodungallur - Various names

Read more here: » Kodungallur: Encyclopedia - Kodungallur

India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, with one of the most deeply religious societies and cultures. Religion plays a central and definitive role in the life of the country and most of its people. The faith of more than 80% of the people is Hinduism, considered the world's oldest religious and philosophical system. Islam is practiced by around 13% of all Indians. Sikhism, Ayyavazhi, Buddhism and Jainism are Indian-born religious systems that are strong and influential not only in India but across the world. Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the Bahá'í F ...

Including:

• Religion in India - Hinduism
• Religion in India - Buddhism
• Religion in India - Jainism
• Religion in India - Christianity
• Religion in India - Islam
• Religion in India - Ayyavazhi
• Religion in India - Zoroastrianism
• Religion in India - Sikhism
• Religion in India - Judaism
• Religion in India - Bahá'í Faith

Read more here: » Religion in India: Encyclopedia - Religion in India

Kerala (Malayalam: കേരളം — Keralam) is a state on the southwestern coast of India. The state is located on the tropical Malabar Coast and borders Tamil Nadu to the east and Karnataka to the northeast. Kerala has a population of some 3.18 crore people;[1] with 819 persons per km2, it is among India's most densely populated regions.[2] Kerala is also known for being the most literate state in India, with a literacy rate of 89.8%.^Including:

• Kerala - History
• Kerala - Ancient
• Kerala - Overseas contact
• Kerala - Colonial
• Kerala - Modern post-colonial
• Kerala - Geography
• Kerala - Administration
• Kerala - Politics
• Kerala - Arts
• Kerala - Society and social development
• Kerala - Demographics
• Kerala - Social development
• Kerala - Malayalam calendar
• Kerala - Festivals
• Kerala - Onam
• Kerala - Eid-ul-Fitr
• Kerala - Christmas
• Kerala - Deepavali
• Kerala - Bakr-id
• Kerala - Vishu
• Kerala - Economy
• Kerala - Tourism
• Kerala - Road network
• Kerala - Trivia
• Kerala - Related topics
• Kerala - Notes

Read more here: » Kerala: Encyclopedia - Kerala

The flood of the river in 1341 AD resulted in the splitting of the river into two tributaries at Thottummukham. That silted up the natural harbour at the mouth of the river, and resulted in the creation of a new harbour at Kochi. That development also led to the rise of the Samoothiri Rajas of Kozhikode. A local era called the Putu Vaipu era was commenced in commemoration of this event. The town was nearly completely destroyed by the Portuguese (Suarez de Menezes) on September 1, 1504 in retaliation for the Samoothiri Raja's actions against them^{See also:}

Kodungallur, Kodungallur - Ancient fame, Kodungallur - Flood of 1341AD, Kodungallur - Sights, Kodungallur - Various names

Read more here: » Kodungallur: Encyclopedia II - Kodungallur - Flood of 1341AD

Some sources say that the earliest Jews were those who settled in the Malabar coast during the times of Solomon, and after the Kingdom of Israel split into two. They are sometimes referred to as the "black jews". The Paradesi Jews, also called "White Jews", settled later, coming to India from European and Middle Eastern nations such as Holland and Spain, and bringing with them the Ladino language. Spanish and Portuguese Jews (Sephardim) settled in Goa in the 15th century, but this settlement eventually disappeared. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Cochin had an influx of Jewish settlers from t ...

See also:

Cochin Jews, Cochin Jews - History, Cochin Jews - Cochin Jews today, Cochin Jews - Ruby of Cochin

Read more here: » Cochin Jews: Encyclopedia II - Cochin Jews - History

Kodungallur was a critical trade link in Indian Ancient Maritime History. It was known as Muziris to Pliny the Elder (N.H. 6.26) who describes it as primum emporium Indiae. The port was familiar to the author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea which described it as being situated on river Pseudostomos (Greek for "false mouth" - a precise translation of the Malayalam description of the mouth of the Periyar, Alimukam) two miles from its mouth ^{See also:}

Kodungallur, Kodungallur - Ancient fame, Kodungallur - Flood of 1341AD, Kodungallur - Sights, Kodungallur - Various names

Read more here: » Kodungallur: Encyclopedia II - Kodungallur - Ancient fame

Christianity, according to tradition (and now supported by recent research), arrived in India in the first century through the apostle Thomas. St. Thomas converted many South Indians who continued to practice Christianity until present. It was further consolidated by the arrival of Syriac Jewish-Christians now known as Knanaya people in the second century C.E. This ancient ethnic Christian community of Kerala is known as Nasrani or Syrian Christian. The Nasrani people and especially the Knanaya people within the Nasranis have strong J ...

See also:

Religion in India, Religion in India - Hinduism, Religion in India - Buddhism, Religion in India - Jainism, Religion in India - Christianity, Religion in India - Islam, Religion in India - Ayyavazhi, Religion in India - Zoroastrianism, Religion in India - Sikhism, Religion in India - Judaism, Religion in India - Bahá'í Faith

Read more here: » Religion in India: Encyclopedia II - Religion in India - Christianity

The Bene Israel arrived 2,100 years ago after a shipwreck stranded seven Jewish families from Palestine at Navagaon near Alibag, just south of Mumbai. The families multiplied and integrated with the local Maharashtrian population adopting their language, dress and food. They were nicknamed the śaniwar telī ("Saturday oil-pressers") by the local population as they abstained from work on Saturdays which is Judaism's Shabbat. The Bene Israel claim a lineage to the Cohanim, the Israelite priestly class, which claims descent from ...

See also:

Indian Jews, Indian Jews - Cochin Jews, Indian Jews - Bene Israel, Indian Jews - Baghdadi Jews, Indian Jews - Bnei Menashe, Indian Jews - Bene Ephraim, Indian Jews - Today

Read more here: » Indian Jews: Encyclopedia II - Indian Jews - Bene Israel

Modern developments in archaeology, anthropology, numismatics, place-name studies, geography and trade route investigations have revealed evidence of the trading which forms the background to the St. Thomas tradition of India. The lure of spices attracted traders from the Middle East and Europe to the many trading ports — Calicut, Cranganore, Cochin, Alleppey and Quilon — long before the time of Christ. According to tradition, it was on a trading vessel plying between Alexandria and the Malabar coast that St. Thomas the Apostle ar ...

See also:

Saint Thomas Christians, Saint Thomas Christians - Saint Thomas Christian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians - History of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians - Place in Indian culture, Saint Thomas Christians - Contact with Western Christianity, Saint Thomas Christians - Nasrani religious jurisdictions, Saint Thomas Christians - Select bibliography, Saint Thomas Christians - External link

Read more here: » Saint Thomas Christians: Encyclopedia II - Saint Thomas Christians - History of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition

Despite the name, the Baghdadi Jews are not exclusively of Iraqi origin: many came from Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen as well. These Jews emigrated to India around 250 years ago and settled down in the city of Mumbai. They were traders and quickly became one of the highest earning communities in the city. As philanthropists, they donated their wealth to public structures. The David Sassoon Docks and a Sassoon Library are some of the famous landmarks still standing today. As well as Mumbai, Baghdadi Jews spread to other parts of ...

See also:

Indian Jews, Indian Jews - Cochin Jews, Indian Jews - Bene Israel, Indian Jews - Baghdadi Jews, Indian Jews - Bnei Menashe, Indian Jews - Bene Ephraim, Indian Jews - Today

Read more here: » Indian Jews: Encyclopedia II - Indian Jews - Baghdadi Jews

Trade contacts between the Mediterranean region and the west coast of India probably led to the presence of small Jewish settlements in India as long ago as the early first millennium B.C. In Kerala a community of Jews tracing its origin to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 has remained associated with the cities of Cranganore and Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) for at least 1,000 years. The Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi, rebuilt in 1568, is in the architectural style of Kerala but preserves the ritual style of the Sephardic rite, with Babylon ...

See also:

Religion in India, Religion in India - Hinduism, Religion in India - Buddhism, Religion in India - Jainism, Religion in India - Christianity, Religion in India - Islam, Religion in India - Ayyavazhi, Religion in India - Zoroastrianism, Religion in India - Sikhism, Religion in India - Judaism, Religion in India - Bahá'í Faith

Read more here: » Religion in India: Encyclopedia II - Religion in India - Judaism

Though much of the Jewish tradition was obliterated and wiped out, some of the important traditions lived on. The symbol of the Nasrani people is still the Nasrani menorah based on the Jewish menorah. Other surviving Jewish tradition still followed by the Nasranis is the tradition of Pesah appam. On passover night, the Nasrani people have Pesah-appam (unleavened passover bread) along with Pesah pal (passover coconut milk). This tradition of Pesah appam is observed by the entire Nasrani people until this day. The Knanaya people (a distinct group within the N ...

See also:

Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Origins, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Christian Jewish tradition, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Nasrani symbol, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Persecution by Portuguese, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Nasrani tradition today, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Nasrani people today, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - List of prominent Nasranis, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Bibliography

Read more here: » Syrian Malabar Nasrani: Encyclopedia II - Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Nasrani tradition today

Like the rest of Kerala, Hindus, Christians and Muslims all form a significant part of the population. Kottayam is the last rail stop for pilgrims heading to the Hindu holy site of Sabarimala. During December and January of each year pilgrims from all over India head to Kottayam and its vicinities to start their final journey to the Sabarimala Temple. The temple is located around 110 km from Kottayam, in the district of Pathanamthitta. Panachikad Temple, one of the famous Saraswathy temples in Kerala is located nearly 12 km away from ...

See also:

Kottayam, Kottayam - History, Kottayam - Climate, Kottayam - Tourism, Kottayam - Industry, Kottayam - Publishing industry, Kottayam - Rubber latex industry, Kottayam - Education, Kottayam - Politics, Kottayam - Religion, Kottayam - Towns in Kottayam District

Read more here: » Kottayam: Encyclopedia II - Kottayam - Religion

Saint Thomas Christians refer to the various and diverse religious denominations between them in terms of their religious tradition. The term was applied to them as a result of the tradition that Saint Thomas founded seven churches as far as India. These first century churches, according to tradition, were, from north to south: Palayoor near Guruvayoor/Kunnankulam, Cranganore (believed to be the ancient Muziris of Pliny, and the Periplus, on the north bank of Periyar River today), Paravoor on the south side of Periyar, Gokkamangalam or Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Chayal or Nil ...

See also:

Saint Thomas Christians, Saint Thomas Christians - Saint Thomas Christian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians - History of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians - Place in Indian culture, Saint Thomas Christians - Contact with Western Christianity, Saint Thomas Christians - Nasrani religious jurisdictions, Saint Thomas Christians - Select bibliography, Saint Thomas Christians - External link

Read more here: » Saint Thomas Christians: Encyclopedia II - Saint Thomas Christians - Saint Thomas Christian tradition

The Judeo-Nasrani tradition of the Syro-malabar Nasranis was wiped out when the Portuguese invaded Kerala, and denounced the Nasrani account of Christian faith as false. They imposed their European rituals and liturgy and obliterated the Jewish legacy from the Nasrani tradition. The Portuguese described the Nasranis as Sabbath keeping Judaizers. Archbishop Menezes of Goa, convened the Synod of Diamper in 1599, in Kerala. There he ordered all the texts of the syrian nasranis to be burnt. The Portuguese burned the Gospel of Thomas and t ...

See also:

Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Origins, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Christian Jewish tradition, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Nasrani symbol, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Persecution by Portuguese, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Nasrani tradition today, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Nasrani people today, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - List of prominent Nasranis, Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Bibliography

Read more here: » Syrian Malabar Nasrani: Encyclopedia II - Syrian Malabar Nasrani - Persecution by Portuguese

Throughout Kerala, one can find Christian families that claim their descent from Jewish ancestors who were baptized by Apostle Thomas. St. Thomas Christians were classified into the caste system according to their professions, in accordance with the Hindu tradition, with special privileges for trade granted by the benevolent Hindu kings. People in Hindu kingdoms, regardless of religion, were expected to strictly abide by stringent rules pertaining to caste and religion. This is why St. Thomas Christians had such a strong sense of caste and t ...

See also:

Saint Thomas Christians, Saint Thomas Christians - Saint Thomas Christian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians - History of the Saint Thomas Christian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians - Place in Indian culture, Saint Thomas Christians - Contact with Western Christianity, Saint Thomas Christians - Nasrani religious jurisdictions, Saint Thomas Christians - Select bibliography, Saint Thomas Christians - External link

Read more here: » Saint Thomas Christians: Encyclopedia II - Saint Thomas Christians - Place in Indian culture