I had to visit my niece and family staying at Chendamangalam, about 42 kms from Ernakulam in Kerala. Chendamangalam is an amazingly beautiful small town, comprising of three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and green pastures. There are some interesting places to explore in Chendamangalam.
The Paliam Palace, 450 year old, is the architecture marvel of Kerala. It was the home of Paliath Achans, and now houses some rare artifacts, relics and historical documents. They were the hereditary prime ministers to the former Maharajas of the erstwhile state of Kochi. A visit to the hillock at Kottayil Kovilakom is worth because it presents an unusual view of the church, temple, mosque and the synagogue.
Jewis Synagogue
In the hillock, you can see a Hindu temple, a church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue, all together within a distance of hardly one km of each other. It was amazingto see the co-existence of four religions harmoniously - a unique blend of culture!
It is believed that the Jews arrived here in Chendamangalam after the destruction of the second temple and the final desolation of Jerusalem in (A.D. 69)and founded a colony. They built a Jewish synagogue in 1614 AD.Later, the Jews built another synagogue in Fort Kochi in the year 1341 AD. In the courtyard behind the synagogue in Chendamangalam, one can see the old Jewish graves, including one of a Jewish woman, dated 1264 A.D. Now most of the Jews have gone back to Jerusalem. We were excited to see a Jew family who had come from Jerusalem as tourists, just to show their native place and synagogue to their younger generation.
Periyar Lake Hindu Temple Mosque
The Paliam Palace, 450 year old, is the architecture marvel of Kerala. It was the home of Paliath Achans, and now houses some rare artifacts, relics and historical documents. They were the hereditary prime ministers to the former Maharajas of the erstwhile state of Kochi. A visit to the hillock at Kottayil Kovilakom is worth because it presents an unusual view of the church, temple, mosque and the synagogue.
In the hillock, you can see a Hindu temple, a church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue, all together within a distance of hardly one km of each other. It was amazingto see the co-existence of four religions harmoniously - a unique blend of culture!
It is believed that the Jews arrived here in Chendamangalam after the destruction of the second temple and the final desolation of Jerusalem in (A.D. 69)and founded a colony. They built a Jewish synagogue in 1614 AD.Later, the Jews built another synagogue in Fort Kochi in the year 1341 AD. In the courtyard behind the synagogue in Chendamangalam, one can see the old Jewish graves, including one of a Jewish woman, dated 1264 A.D. Now most of the Jews have gone back to Jerusalem. We were excited to see a Jew family who had come from Jerusalem as tourists, just to show their native place and synagogue to their younger generation.
Vypeenkotta, built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, is another attraction here.
Right next to the seminary is an old Catholic Church built in the 11th century.
Sree Venugopala Krishna Swami Temple is another religious place, famous for Hindus, built in 1900 AD.
A journey from Kochi to Chendamangalam is the surrounding beauty created by the lavish greenery, the crystal like clear water of the three rivers that flow nearby and the small hills that adorn the surrounding scenery.
The beautiful Cherai Beach is also nearby.
Reaching There : Cochin International Airport is just 20 kilometers from this place.
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