The last time I was inside this graveyard was in March, 2018. The usually heavily overgrown cemetery is not an easy site to explore. Nevertheless, it was still possible with some extra effort and will-power until a few years ago when the whole area was sealed. For previous visits highlighting the importance of the cemetery, condition of the site, photographs of the graves, historic burials etc., see the links under ‘Ernakulam Old Jewish Cemetery’ in my blog here. Ever since the cemetery was properly fenced off, with a gate added and gaps filled, entering the premises had become practically impossible. In spite of these protective measures taken in 2021, the deplorable condition of the graveyard remained the same. The only difference it made was that the cemetery had turned into a enclosed jungle where no one can enter.
Entrance of the Jewish cemetery and the signboards within
The situation changed dramatically recently when the President of India was visiting the St Teresa's College at Ernakulam for its Centenary Celebrations on October 24, 2025. Thanks to the security protocols of this high profile visit, cleaning the cemetery became an unavoidable obligation, because the college shares its immediate eastern boundary with the Jewish graveyard. No wonder, a massive Python was captured from the cemetery just a day before the visit of the Head of the State [see here for the news]. Luckily, I happened to be in Ernakulam, and seeing the graveyard open for a short span of time, I didn't want to miss the rare opportunity to explore the venue one more time. In 2018, I detected 32 tombstones in the cemetery. Today, I managed to trace 29 tombstones, and to my surprise, they remain just as they were 7 years ago, despite being subjected to neglect and poor maintenance. Chances are that the missing grave markers have also survived, but the area where they stood are covered with large branches chopped off from the trees. In addition, there are a couple of crumbling grave structures without epitaphs. Therefore, we can safely conclude that the cemetery has structural remains of around 50 graves.
A few graves with tombstones
A few decayed graves without gravestones [lost]
Most of extant graves in the cemetery are from the early-19th to the mid-20th century. Remember, the cemetery became defunct in the 1940s (see here for more details). The oldest graves currently identified in the cemetery are from the 18th century. Despite being the oldest, the tombstones of Samuel, son of Abraham [d. 1763 or 1765] and Hannah, daughter of Elijah [d. 1774] are still one of the best preserved in the cemetery. In 2018, both these tombstones were lying scattered on the ground, but currently they are found in upright position installed before their respective graves [see photographs below for the comparison]. Near the main gate are three tombs arranged in a row, belonging to Elijah, son of Joseph [d. 1940], Sarah, daughter of Nehemiah [d. 1906] and Sarah, daughter of Elijah [d. lost]. The largest and the most impressive grave monument of Nehemiah, son of Moshe (Moses) dated 1927 located deep inside the cemetery has also remained intact. In a previous post, I discussed about its lengthy 16-lined acrostic epitaph [see here]. Another set of family tombs [Rivkah, d/o Nehemiah [d. 1896], Leah, d/o Japheth, d. 1902; Rivkah, d/o Japheth, d. 1902 and Nehemiah, s/o Japheth, d. 1881?] can be seen near the eastern boundary wall separating the cemetery from the adjacent Esplanade shopping mall.
The oldest graves identified [2018 vs 2025]
Samuel. s/o Abraham [d. 1763 or 1765]
Hannah, d/o Elijah [d. 1774]
Cluster of family graves
Left: Graves of Elijah, son of Joseph [d. 1940], Sarah, daughter of Nehemiah [d. 1906] and Sarah, daughter of Elijah [d. ?]. Right: Graves of Rivkah, d/o Nehemiah [d. 1896]; Leah, d/o Japheth, d. 1902; Rivkah, d/o Japheth, d. 1902 and Nehemiah, s/o Japheth, d. 1881?
The cemetery was originally larger in area than it is now, and it was used by both the Kadavumbhagom and the Thekkumbhagom Jewish communities of Ernakulam. It is said that the Thekkumhagom section of the cemetery was sold out, and the Esplanade shopping complex stands in that portion today. However, whether a distinct boundary existed between these burial sections is not clear. Interestingly, the grave of Elijah, son of Joseph [d. 1940], who is identified as the founding member of the new Thekkumbhagom Synagogue, still exists inside the current cemetery.
A view of the Esplanade shopping complex from the Jewish Cemetery 
The cemetery was closed within a week after the so-called cleaning activity done in a rush, which was more of cutting down the branches of trees and getting rid of heavy bushes. The gate was temporarily closed using plastic lock tags. The heavy branches and twigs removed from the trees were left as such on the site, and as a result some of the graves could not be examined. Most recently (November, 2025), the large iron gate guarding the entrance caved in leaving the cemetery wide open. The wild creepers and weeds are returning fast and the tombstones are slowly disappearing into the thicket. Hopefully, this is not a return to the usual dilapidated neglected state of the so called protected monument of the Archaeological Department.
A more recent view of the Jewish Cemetery. Photograph taken on 30 November, 2025
The recently collapsed gate of the Jewish Cemetery [Photo: 30 November, 2025] 
The following are enlarged views of 29 tombstones along with the name of the deceased that I could read from the epitaphs.
Enlarged views of the 29 tombstones in the old Jewish cemetery of Ernakulam 
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