Finding the synagogue at Thane, Mumbai proved to be quite a task, with the most unexpected results. Armed with a print out of the address given online, the search began with asking the people in that area if they knew where it was exactly. While most just shrugged their heads, some said that the address didn’t exist at all. Walking up and down the entire road proved to be of no use either; though a shopkeeper did give friendly warning about taking permission before going to any Jewish place. Finally, at the end of the road, just at the crossroads, a building in blue and white caught my eye and I burst out laughing. Standing in a shaded corner, right there in a busy street, was the Shaar Hashamaim Synagogue.
Though I spoke to the authorities for the permission to enter and look around, the high security measures during the Passover didn’t let that happen. The police van outside spoke ominously of the fear inside that peaceful structure. Hidden from those passing-by, stand the ‘Gate of Heaven Synagogue’ , trying hard to remain that way more so
Nes Gadol Haya Sham 
looks more like a police station 🙂