Maghen David Synagogue

Maghen David Synagogue in Kolkata, West Bengal, is one of the grandest and most historically significant synagogues in India. Built in 1884 by Elias David Joseph Ezra in memory of his father, David Joseph Ezra, the synagogue stands as a striking symbol of the once-flourishing Baghdadi Jewish community in the city.

Located at the junction of Brabourne Road and Canning Street—now Biplabi Rash Behari Road—the synagogue is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture, with its red-brick façade, soaring 140-foot clock tower, and elegant arched windows lending it a stately presence amid the bustling Burrabazar area.

Inside, the synagogue is a visual delight. The checkered marble floors, stained glass rose windows, and ornate chandeliers create a space that is both majestic and serene. The ark, set within a star-studded apse, houses the Torah scrolls and is flanked by floral pillars imported from Paris. A raised bimah at the center of the hall and upper balconies reserved for women reflect traditional Jewish architectural elements.

Though regular services have ceased due to the dwindling Jewish population—now numbering fewer than 30 in Kolkata—the synagogue is meticulously maintained and protected as a heritage monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.