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What people are saying

Jan 2023

I'm glad we went ahead and drove to the synagogue; we had not been able to reach anyone by phone. The gentleman was happy to show us everything and answer every question asked (vs proactively telling us about the venue). Admittedly: this was Saturday afternoon; I would have enjoyed participating in the morning service. I'm still not sure what the correct phone number is.

By Ardhanareeshvara

“Red Tower”

Feb 2020

The Ohel David Synagogue (Lal Deval because of its red exterior) is an impressive structure rising above Moledina Road. It is bypassed by tourists but it has an interesting history and antecedents. There is no entrance fee but permission is required to visit. The lack of landscaping around detracts from the architectural beauty of this building. About half-an-hour is adequate to walk around this attraction.

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

4.0

19 reviews

Excellent

2

Very good

14

Average

3

Poor

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Terrible

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TheOmniscience

339 contributions

Red syanagigue

May 2017 • Solo

It's an old synagogue located in camp area. The red colour makes it unique and distinctive from surrounding. Security is present 24/7 and a reservation is must for non Jews to visit from inside. Certainly an excellent piece of architecture worth a visit.

Written February 11, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tonymel64

Pune, India931 contributions

RED BEAUTY STANDING TALL

Oct 2016 • Solo

Yesterday evening being Sunday , I passed by this lovely structure.It is so calm but the presence of 24/7 security is omnipresent.This place of worship used to be alive on Saturday evenings but with security so much, a visit needs police permission.The cops are on 24/7 duty and photography from inside is not easy.I took a shot from the main road . If you love classic architecture then try and visit this place. Security is strict so be ready for restrictions

Written October 10, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Omer A

Herzliya, Israel76 contributions

Nice old synagogue

Jul 2016 • Friends

This is the biggest synagogue in Asia outside Israel.
This is an old synagogue that looks like a Gothic church.
The ground keeper is friendly and let you in only if you have a reservation or you convinced him you are a Jew.
The ground are not well maintained but the synagogue it self is big and nice, apparently it works during the weekend with the help of a a Rabbi from Mumbai and around 20 local Jews.
At the property there is a tomb of the founder that donate the money to build the synagogue.

Nice place to visit, do not expect the European style synagogue luxury.

Enjoy

Written July 21, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Giora_I_L

Haifa, Israel6,250 contributions

Make the effort it is worthwile

Jul 2016 • Business

The synagogue is known by locals as Lal Deval means the red synagogue as it is painted in dark red. Built 150 years ago, it looks form outside like a 19th century Gothic church but with no cross. The friendly caretaker, who lives in the compound, allowed us in as we are Israelis. The places is guarded by police and they ask for invitation, which can be arranged via the congregational leadership at the telephone number 91.20.26132048. It is very impressive and from the the outside and inside (largest synagogue in Asia outside Israel). Services are on Friday and Saturday only for the shrinking Jewish community. Interesting building inside the compound is a mausoleum of David Sassoon who donated the money for the building.

Written July 17, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DragonChowhound

Southlake, TX250 contributions

A definite highlight of our trip!

Oct 2015 • Business

Our group visited the Ohel David Synagogue during a recent trip, and I'm so glad we decided to go. The site is highly secure, but we were permitted access once a kind gentleman who is the primary caretaker of the site arrived. He was a very kind and welcoming man, who was proud to show us around the synagogue, sharing lots of interesting historic detail along the way.
One of the members of our group is Jewish, and they had a great exchange about the local congregation, and the services that are held at the synagogue.

Overall, I was really touched by the kindness shown by the caretaking staff. Given the high level of security at the facility, they could have easily told us to go away, but instead they warmly welcomed us, and turned the visit into a definite highlight of the trip.

Written October 15, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Avi L

Jerusalem, Israel80 contributions

A synagogue that looks like a church on the outside and is called a Mosque by the locals

Feb 2015

The Ohel David synagogue is a beautifully preserved historical remnant of the Jewish community in Pune. It looks like a nineteenth century neo gothic English church from the outside (no crosses...) but it is called a "misjad" (a mosque) by the locals as there were so few Jews and they lived in the proximity to the Muslims in India.
The Sasoon family of jews from Baghdad played a leading role in turning Bombay and the whole area into an industrial powerhouse in the 19th century.

Written June 4, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aaqarsh Aiyyar

Chennai (Madras), India2,431 contributions

Old synagogue

May 2018 • Solo

Ohel David synagogue is an old synagogue that stands tall in the camp area of Pune city. It is a highly secured area and access is restricted.

Written May 22, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tourguide6

Nagercoil, India387 contributions

Very old Synagogue

Aug 2017 • Family

The Ohel David Synagogue is known by locals as Lal Deval. It means red synagogue. It is painted in dark red. It is said to be built 150 years ago. This synagogue is guarded by the local police. It looks like a old church without a cross.

Written November 30, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

chow69

Bhopal, India2,063 contributions

OLD JEWISH SYNAGOGUE: CENTRALLY LOCATED

Oct 2015 • Solo

This unique synagogue is popularly known as the Red Temple. An interesting blend of architectural wonder and divinity, one can't help but admire the design and interesting use of colours. Built in the neo-Gothic style with red brick and stone, this superb synagogue has a unique feel attached to it. Built in 1863 by the late David Sassoon after whom the Sassoon Hospital is also named the synagogue is dedicated to the Jewish Community of Pune. I have been passing this synagogue for the last so many years, but never did I ever venture inside. I took the plunge during my recent trip to Pune, and boy, wasn't I surprised! A must visit for anyone interested in such places.

Written November 4, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sue

Montgomery, UK70 contributions

beautiful inside shame but

Nov 2019

it looks great on the photos, but showing signs of disrepair.... I took 4 other ladies with me who had never been to a Synagogue before so were really interested. You cannot visit the ladies gallery as it is unsafe... The security guard was going to call someone to show us round but didnt as I knew what I was seeing and was able to tell the other ladies. Expect to pay a "camera fee" of your choice when you visit - but that is India.

Written November 27, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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