Jewish India Itinerary

Namaste! Welcome to India! 
Once nothing more than a swampy and malarial mud flat—presented to the British by its Portuguese occupiers as a wedding gift in 1661—Mumbai (still often called Bombay) is the fastest-moving city in India.  You’ll discover the city and its unique Jewish heritage.

Discover the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue and the Magen David Synagogue, both built in the 1800s by the Sassoon family. You’ll also visit the iconic Gateway of India, scenic Marine Drive, Jain Temples, and the Parsi Tower of Silence.

Explore Alibagh on the Konkan Coast.  During the religious persecutions in Israel 2,200 years ago, the Bene Israel Jews escaped to India. We will visit the unusually picturesque synagogue at Alibag and get to know the culture of this unique city.

Travel to Elephanta Island, famous for its ancient cave temples, and later marvel at the efficiency of Mumbai’s 4,500dabbawalas, who pick up and deliver 175,000 lunches every day. Also, visit the buzzing local bazaars, hubs of daily activity here.

Today, enjoy a poignant visit to the JDC Old Age Home, which has been helping elderly and destitute Jewish people since 1964. Then fly to Cochin (also called Kochi), once a key stop on the trade route between Europe and China. Over the years, Jews built strong communities here, and we’ll explore it over the next three days.

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cochin, including the Jewish Paradesi Synagogue (built circa 1568), one of the most beautiful Jewish sites in India. Later discover Chinese Fishing Nets—said to be brought here by traders of Kubalai Khan’s Court—and St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by the Europeans in India.

Delve deeper into Jewish life as you explore Thekkumbhagam Synagogue, and Muziris, Parur Synagogue and stop by the former Jewish settlement in Mala. Visit the synagogue and cemetery—reminders of a time when this was a thriving, artistically inclined Jewish community.

Fly to Kolkata (Calcutta), home to a tiny Jewish community with a proud history (there were once 6,000 Jews here, but numbers dwindled after the formation of Israel).  Echoes of this past remain, and we’ll discover the remnants of Jewish past here.

Browse Nahoum’s Confectionary Shop, and recall its glory days at the beginning of the 20th century. Tour “Magen David” (Star of David), acknowledged to be the largest synagogue in the East, as well as two Free Schools and a Jewish hospital.

A glimpse of Indian cultural sights provides some context: stop by the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Victoria Memorial, as well as St Paul’s Cathedral (the original metropolitan church of British India) and Sishu Bhavan, one ofMother Theresa’s many homes for the underprivileged.

Fly to Delhi, an amalgamation of cities created from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors who have left behind striking monuments and riveting tales. Experience the many facets of this captivating capital—both the modern and the ancient—as you explore both New and Old Delhi.

Explore Judah Hyam Synagogue, and meet with the caretaker to get an insider’s view of the congregation’s history.  Later, experience both Old Delhi and New Delhi on a tour, and immerse yourself in the grand history from the overwhelmingly opulent Red Fort to the 12th century stone tower Qutub Minar.

Drive to Agra, home to the venerable Taj Mahal. Visit the mighty Agra Fort, a massive palace where Mughal emperors lived and ruled for centuries, and stroll through Kachhpura village to Mehtab Bagh, a Mughal-era garden. See the Taj Mahal at sunset.

You’ll catch the magic of the Taj Mahal at dawn, when the sun gently graces the etched marble, painting it in hues of pink, light yellow and bright white. Later, see palatial ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri before arriving in Jaipur, the “Pink City.”

Ascend to the towering Amber Fort on elephant back, before getting a in-depth tour of this Rajasthani capital. The“Palace of Winds” awaits, as well as the elaborate and ornate City Palace and more. Later, enjoy an authentic Indian cuisine demonstration and dinner with a special local family.

Drive back to Delhi, where you’ll say your reluctant goodbyes to your tour to India and fly home.