Aldona
| Aldona (हळडोणा) | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
  Aldona (हळडोणा)  Aldona (हळडोणा) Location of Aldona in Goa | |
| Coordinates: 15°35′23″N 73°52′24″E / 15.58972°N 73.87333°ECoordinates: 15°35′23″N 73°52′24″E / 15.58972°N 73.87333°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Goa |
| District | North Goa |
| Sub-district | Bardez |
| Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 6,320 |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 403508 |
| Area code(s) | 91 0832 |
Aldona is a village in Bardez, Goa.
Geography
Aldona is located at 15°35′23″N 73°52′24″E / 15.58972°N 73.87333°E at an average elevation of 19 metres (62 ft).[1]
Demographics
As of the 2011 India census,[2] Aldona had a population of 6,320. Males constituted 46% of the population and females 54%. The average literacy rate was 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5 per cent; 49% of males and 51% of females were literate. 9% of the population was under 7 years of age.
Religion
The church is dedicated to São Tomé (St. Thomas). The parish chapels include those in the localities of Carona (Sta. Rita de Cascia), Quitula (Nosa Senhora de Piedade) and Corjuem (Mãe de Deus).
It has several vadde (wards), which include Quitula, Goncoi, Udoim, Coimavaddo (Voilo and Socoilo), Carona, Santerxette, Castel Vaddo, Naikavaddo, Panarim, Maina Vaddo, Cottarbat and Ranoi.
Aldona is connected to Corjuem by a state of the art cable-stayed bridge held by six cables from either direction.
The current Archbishop of Goa and Daman, India, Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão is from Aldona (born January 20, 1953 in Santerxette, Aldona, Goa, India)
St. Thomas Church
The Church of St. Thomas remains an awe inspiring presence in Aldona.[3] It was built in 1596 on a high plateau on the banks of the Mapusa River. A tributary of the Mandovi River. A flight of broad steps cut into a cliff and lead to an open plain that surrounds the grand white building.
Inside, the Church is ornately decorated by symbolic biblical murals and grand statues. The treasures of the church are the subject of a village legend. At one time, the statues of the church were strung with jewellery by villagers as thanks for prayers answered. But Churches were often robbed of these jewels.
The Church buildings are white-washed in the tradition of Goan churches. The band stand in the grounds and the cemetery are also white-washed and all together evoke a feeling of awe.
The gate of the Church graveyard has a sign in Konkani "Aiz Maka Falea Tuka" which translates into something akin 'Me Today You Tomorrow' , a poignant reminder of our mortality.
Notable people
- Alfred Rose — singer, tiatrist, melody king of Goa
- Edward Soares — founder of St. Thomas Boys High School
- Filipe Neri Ferrão — current Archbishop of Goa and Daman
- Antonio Xavier Vaz alias Chic Chocolate - Jazz Musician
Gallery
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St. Thomas Church grounds and band stand
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The interior of St. Thomas Church
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Graveyard gate of St. Thomas Church
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One of the many frescos that adorn the interior of St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Parish Centre
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The cable bridge connecting Aldona and Corjuem
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A view of St. Thomas Church and the Mapusa River tributary of the Mandovi River
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Mãe de Deus (Mother of God) Chapel in Corjuem
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Mapusa river in Aldona Goa
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A chapel in Aldona Goa
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Sluie gate in Aldona Goa for fishing
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Aldona Goa
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View from Amaral/Cancio's homestay in Aldona
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Approach road to St Thomas church
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Bread making in Aldona Goa
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Bread making in Aldona Goa
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Bread freshly out
References
- ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Aldona
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ↑ A page on Church of St. Thomas, Aldona from topsecretplaces.com