The Eliahu Hannavi (Elijah the Prophet) Synagogue in Pune is one of the oldest and most historically significant synagogues in India. Built in 1867, it stands in the Rasta Peth neighborhood and serves as the spiritual center of Pune’s Bene Israel Jewish community. The synagogue is named for the Prophet Elijah, who holds special significance in Bene Israel tradition as a protector and intercessor for the community.
The Significance of Elijah in Bene Israel Tradition
No figure looms larger in Bene Israel religious life than Eliyahu Hannavi — the Prophet Elijah. The Bene Israel believe that Elijah appeared to their ancestors on the Konkan coast and taught them the Shema prayer and other fundamental Jewish practices during the centuries when they were cut off from the broader Jewish world. Every Bene Israel home traditionally has a picture of Elijah, and the Malida ceremony — the community’s distinctive thanksgiving ritual — is performed in his honor at weddings, births, bar mitzvahs, and other important occasions.
Architecture and Interior
The Eliahu Hannavi Synagogue was built in the Indo-European colonial style typical of 19th-century Indian synagogues. Its white-painted facade, arched windows, and central hall with elevated bimah follow the Bene Israel synagogue architectural tradition. The interior is decorated with Hebrew inscriptions, Star of David motifs, and the distinctive Bene Israel synagogue furniture arrangement in which the reading platform faces the Torah ark, with pews on either side for the congregation. The women’s gallery is located on the upper level, as in traditional Sephardic synagogues.
Pune’s Jewish History
Pune has been home to a Jewish community since at least the 18th century, when Bene Israel men began serving in the Maratha armies and later in the British Indian Army units stationed at the Pune cantonment. The city’s military connection made it a natural center for Bene Israel families, as many community men were career soldiers. By the 19th century, Pune had a substantial Bene Israel population with its own synagogues, schools, and community institutions. At its peak, the community numbered in the hundreds of families.
The Community Today
Like other Indian Jewish communities, Pune’s Jewish population declined sharply in the second half of the 20th century as most families emigrated to Israel. Today, a small but active community of a few dozen families maintains the synagogue and Jewish community life in Pune. Services are held on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, and the synagogue welcomes Jewish visitors from around the world. The Eliahu Hannavi Synagogue has been designated a heritage site by the Archaeological Survey of India.
For more about Pune’s Jewish community, see the Pune Jews section of this website.