Jews Synagogue - Kochi

This Synagogue is constructed in 1568 and this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. Known for mid-18th century hand painted, willow patterned floor tiles from Canton in China, a clock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, great scrolls of the Old Testament, ancient scripts on copper plates etc. The Synagogue is situated at Mattancherry, Kochi and will be open for 1000 - 1200 hrs; 1500 - 1700 hrs. Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays

Fort Kochi - walking map

Kochi-Ernakulam route Map

Accessing Ernakulam

Telephone access code ++91-484
Air:
International airport at Nedumbassery (32 km from the town)
Airline offices:
Air India, MG Road Ph: 2380700 2351295 Indian Airlines, DH Road Ph: 2370238/2353826 Jet Airways, Atlantis, MG Road Ph: 2369879 Oman Air (RL Travels), Atlantis, MG Road Ph: 2357093 Cathay Pacific (Spencer & Co. Ltd.), MG Road Ph: 2362064 Saudi Arabian Airlines (Arafat Travels), MG Road Ph: 2352689 Singapore Airlines (Aviation Travels), MG Road Ph: 2358127 British Airways (Nijhawon Travels), MG Road Ph: 2364867 Kuwait Airways (National Travels), MG Road Ph: 2359133 Air Sahara Ph: 2365508 Srilankan Airlines Ph: 2361263 Emirates Ph: 2382860 Fax: 2384612 Qatar Airways Ph: 2381063
Rail:
Ernakulam is a major railhead of the Southern Railway Main station: Ernakulam Junction Ph: 131 Other stations: Ernakulam Town Ph: 2390920; Kochi Harbour Terminus Ph: 2666001
Road:
The KSRTC Central Bus Station is near the Junction Railway Station Ph: 2372033 Private buses operate from High Court Junction, Railway Station and Kaloor Junction Tamil Nadu Road Transport bus station Ph: 2372616
Inter-State private bus services to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Chennai and Madurai: Indira Travels, near Jos Junction Ph: 2360693 Yesbee Travels, near Jos Junction Ph: 2375080 Princy Tours, Opp. Sealord Hotel Ph: 2354712 Sharma Transports, Grand Hotel Ph: 2350712 Ashirwad Travels, Jos Junction Ph: 2367709
Ferry Services:
There are two ferry stations in Ernakulam. The main Boat Jetty is 1 km from the Junction Railway Station and the other is near the High Court.
Ferry timings (From the main boat jetty):
Vypeen : Frequent services (1/2 hour journey)
Mattancherry : Daily 6 ferries (1/2 hour journey) at 0910, 0940, 1100, 1400, 1520, 1740 hrs
Fort Kochi : Daily 30 services (20 minute journey). First trip at 0600 hrs and the last at 2110 hrs
Varapuzha : Daily 6 boats (2 hour journey)
Willingdon Island : Frequent services (15 minute journey)
Tourist information offices:
Tourist Information Officer, Dept. of Tourism Ph: 2360502 Fort Kochi Ph: 2216654 Govt. of India Tourist Office, Willingdon Island Ph: 2668352/1913 Airport Information Counter, Dept. of Tourism Kerala Ph: 2610115 Ext. 2105 Tourist Reception Centre - KTDC, Shanmughom Rd. Ph: 2353234 2382199 DTPC Tourist Information Centre, Old Collectorate Bldg., Park Avenue Ph: 2367334/2383988 Tourist Desk, Main Boat Jetty Ph: 2371761

Ernakulam

Ernakulam is located on the coast of the Arabian sea with Kottayam and Alappuzha districts in the south, Idukki in the east and Thrissur in the north. The commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Kochi in Ernakulam, is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. With one of the finest natural harbours in the world, this was once a major centre of commerce and trade of the Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, British etc.
Area: 2408 sq. km Altitude: Sea level