The long-awaited restoration of the historic Mala Jewish Synagogue has begun, nearly a year after its roof collapsed during heavy rain, leaving one of Kerala’s important Jewish heritage monuments in a state of neglect.

The restoration has been taken up under the State government’s 100-day programme as part of the Muziris Heritage Project. Muziris Heritage Project Limited has entrusted the work to Steel Industrials Kerala Limited (SILK).

Officials expect to complete the restoration within three months. However, continuous monsoon rain could affect the pace of the construction.

Structural stability

The work will include rebuilding the collapsed roof and restoring the synagogue’s walls. Engineers will also assess whether prolonged exposure to rain and sunlight has weakened the structural stability of the walls before undertaking the conservation measures.

A monitoring committee comprising the panchayat president, secretary, panchayat engineer and elected members will oversee every stage of the restoration to ensure quality and timely completion.

The synagogue has remained covered with temporary plastic sheets for more than a year after the roof caved in during heavy rain in June last year. The prolonged delay in beginning restoration had triggered widespread public criticism.

The roof collapse had also sparked allegations of irregularities in the maintenance of the protected heritage structure, with demands for a Vigilance probe still pending.

Published - August 05, 2026 08:07 pm IST