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Explore Jewish heritage of Mumbai
Duration
8 hours
Overview
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The First thing that may come to your mind does Mumbai have any bit connection to Jews to build an entire tour around it, Yes, it does. Mumbai has been to the home to Jews since the late 18th Century. Once upon a time, there were more than 40,000 Jews living in the city, which have been reduced to 4,000 presently, Though Mumbai still has 8 synagogues.
The tour starts with pick up from your hotel, & then our guide would share a brief insight about Jews history with Mumbai. The first point on the itinerary is the Sasson Dock, one of the oldest & largest fish markets on the western coast of India, Built by an influential Baghdadi Jew family. The market is bustling with the fishermen marketing their catch, few locals involved in the preservation of the fish for the export.
The first synagogue you would be visiting is Kenneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue; the building has a strong influence from Indian, British & Jewish traditions. It was built in the year 1884, though the building underwent a restoration and renovated structure has been recently opened. The building is exterior & interior are painted with turquoise, giving a very lively feeling. The synagogue contains a number of Torah scrolls, along with silver-cased sefarim (religious books) belonging to the Sassoon family. On the ground floor, there are meetings and school rooms, and a mikveh (immersion pool).
Then you will head to David Sasson library, another century-old building in heart of the city, overlooking infamous Kala Goda.
Next, you will visit the oldest synagogue in Mumbai, the Shaar Harahamim, or Gate of Mercy Synagogue or Jani Masjid, built in 1796, by Samaji Hasaji Divekar (Samuel Ezekiel Divekar), a Bene Israeli. Masjid is the reference from the neighboorhood its located in; Masjid Bunder. This is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai and built as a Thanksgiving gift to Mumbai after their lives was spared by Mysore king Tipu Sultan.
The next stop on the itinerary is Magen David Synagogue, a tall blue building with a Gothic feel that towers over all the other buildings in the area. This is the last of the synagogue on the tour.
After exploring the Jews culture, you would be visiting/passing by some of the famous Landmarks of the old town of Mumbai. Here is the list of places
• Victoria Terminus (a UNESCO World Heritage site)
• Bombay Municipal Building
• Dhobi Ghat
• Marine Drive
• Oval ground
• Bombay High court
• Bombay University
• Flora Fountain
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