Chennai

The city’s fading link to its Jewish past

Located off Lloyd’s Road in the city, the Jewish Cemetery is the only memoir of the once significant Jewish population of Chennai, which has now almost become extinct. Burials include the tombstones of 18th-century Jewish diamond merchants.

migrator

Chennai

The cemetery houses less than 10 graves, of which a few are over 300 years old. The cemetery was established by Jacques (Jaime) de Paivia, a Portuguese Paradesi Jew, involved in the diamond trade. After the renovation around 2016, these doors were replaced with sturdier ones. Before the renovation, the cemetery had been reported to be in a state of severe disrepair – with rusted iron gates, partially grown shrubs and cracked walls. People in the surrounding area were oblivious to the existence and historical importance of the cemetery. Even now, it tends to have few visitors.

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android

NEET paper leak, cancellation proof of structural flaws, says TN CM Vijay

NEET-UG 2026: Probe finds MBBS student in Kerala forwarded guess paper to friends in Rajasthan

NIA arrests wanted narco-terrorist Iqbal Singh after extradition from Portugal

Russia to fulfil all agreements on energy supply to India: FM Lavrov

HIGHLIGHTS | Vijay wins floor test after 144 including AIADMK faction led by SP Velumani, VCK, Congress, IUML, Left back TVK