Fort in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India — भारत (South Asia)
Travancore marker - Puthenmalika Palace
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Photographed by Jerry Klinger
1. Travancore marker - Puthenmalika Palace Marker
Dharma is our family Deity."
"We do not have a tradition of abandoning those who are under our protection,"
Gold Torah crown gifted to the Paradesi Synagogue, Kochi
The Torah is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
Presented in 2026, with sincere respect and appreciation of the goodwill between the State of Travancore and the Jewish people, by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (Jerry Klinger, President) and Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins
Erected 2026 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Travancore Royal Family.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list.
Location. 8° 28.92′ N, 76° 56.72′ E. Marker is in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is in Fort. It can be reached from Bhajanapura Palace Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Bhajanapura Palace Road, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 69502-3, India.
this page online
Regionally, it is in Asia, specifically in South Asia, in the Indian Subcontinent, on the Arabian Sea, on the Bay of Bengal, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Mughal Empire, Portuguese colonies, and a British colony.
Also see . . .
1. An old crown, a new plaque, and an unsettled chapter of Keralas Jewish past.
Two centuries ago, in the quiet waterside town of Mattanchery in present-day Kerala, an extraordinary gesture quietly entered history.(Submitted on January 28, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
In 1805, a jewel-studded golden crown was presented to the Paradesi Synagogue.
Who commissioned the crown, and for what precise purpose, remains an open question.
Yet local tradition and long-held belief point to a striking possibility: that Avittom Thirunal Bala Rama Varma, then the young ruler of Travancore, personally handed over the ceremonial artefact.
2. Paradesi past, living legacy. (Submitted on January 28, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
3. Paradesi past, living legacy.
Though only(Submitted on January 28, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)one Paradesi Jew remains in Kochi today, the communitys profound legacy lives on. From introducing electricity and ferry transport to enriching the citys culture, their contributions have left an indelible mark.
2. Gold Torah Crown Gifted to the Paradesi Synagogue, Kochi
4. Jews of Malabar.
Traditionally, it's believed that the crown was presented by Maharaja Avittom Thirunal Bala Rama Varma in 1805, as depicted in a mural within the synagogue. However, a report from The Bombay Courier dated January 20, 1808, offers a different account. It details a Hanukkah event on December 25, 1807, where Dewan Velu Thampi Dalawa and British Resident Colin Macaulay presented a golden crown and two silver chandeliers to the synagogue.(Submitted on January 28, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins
3. Travancore marker - Puthenmalika Palace Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
