Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue

Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue
Hebrew: בית הכנסת אליהו
The synagogue in 2020, post restoration
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteNusach Sefard
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
StatusActive
Location
Location55, Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra
CountryIndia
Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue is located in Mumbai
Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue
Location of the synagogue in Mumbai
Geographic coordinates18°55′41.19″N 72°49′57.25″E / 18.9281083°N 72.8325694°E / 18.9281083; 72.8325694
Architecture
Architect(s)
  • David Gostling
  • James Morris
TypeSynagogue architecture
Style
Funded byJacob Elias Sassoon
Completed1884
Specifications
Direction of façadeWestern
MaterialsStone; brick

The Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue (Hebrew: בית הכנסת אליהו, lit.'Gathering of Elijah'), also Knesset Eliyahu and the Blue Synagogue, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 55, Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg, in the Kala Ghoda neighborhood, Fort, in downtown Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, India. Completed in 1884, it is the second oldest Sephardic synagogue in Mumbai. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and Oberoi Trident are nearby.[1][2]

The synagogue was established by Jacob Elias Sassoon[3] and the building is maintained by the Jacob Sassoon Trust. The building's significance is attributed to its Jewish traditions as well as Indian and English colonial influences. It was designed by the British architectural firm Gostling & Morris of Bombay.[4] The basement part of the edifice is built in stone masonry and the superstructure is built in brick masonry. The exterior facade of the synagogue is painted turquoise. The sanctuary within the interior of the building is in western direction, towards Jerusalem.

  1. ^ "Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue". World Monuments Fund. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  2. ^ "Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Mumbai, India". Sir Jacob Sassoon Synagogues and Allied Trusts. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  3. ^ Datta, Rangan (3 October 2020). "Inside the synagogues of Mumbai". Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Mumbai's iconic 'blue' Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue open to public, after year-long restoration". Firstpost. 10 February 2019. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.