OHEL DAVID (Tent of David) SYNGOGUE,
Poona/Pune

David Sassoon, the Baghdadi Jewish Industrialist and Philanthropist, built the “Ohel David Synagogue. The construction of the building was started in 1863 and was completed in 1867.

The handsome red brick building, with a lofty tower and spire, is located in the south-eastern corner of the suburban municipal limits. It is high church-like structure in the English Gothic style, built of red brick with trap stone arch work and mullions. The windows are divided into small panes of stained glass. At the east end and rising above the porch, a red brick tower carries the clocks and bells. The tower is surmounted by an impressive tall spire. Due to its red colour the Synagogue is referred to in Hindi and Marathi as Lal Deval meaning the Red Temple.

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In its heyday, this Synagogue used to see more Jewish visitors during the monsoon and summer seasons as many Jewish residents from Bombay and nearby places who would spend their summer and rainy months in Poona. Near the synagogue is the Mausoleum, where the philanthropist David Sassoon is buried in an impressive and dignified structure, which is considered one of the most impressive tombs that exist in India.