Aldona

Aldona is a village in the sub-district of Bardez and one of the prominent villages of the State of Goa. It is known for its scenic setting and creatively-built houses. Travel-writer Anuradha Goyal quotes villagers as believing that it is "the most beautiful village in the world" and notes that "a lot of literary giants" choose to live in Aldona.[1]

For other uses, see Aldona (disambiguation).

Aldona
Village
Aldona
Location of Aldona in Goa
Aldona
Aldona (India)
Coordinates: 15°35′23″N 73°52′24″E
CountryIndia
StateGoa
DistrictNorth Goa
Sub-districtBardez
Government
 • BodyPanchayat
Elevation
19 m (62 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total6,320
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
403508
Area code(s)91 0832

Geography

Aldona is located at 15°35′23″N 73°52′24″E at an average elevation of 19 metres (62 ft).[2]

Aldona, as a comunidade-village, comprises around 16 wards. Bodiem and Danua wards are separated from the main village area by the Mapusa river, and come under the neighboring village of Tivim's panchayat. Aldona comunidade's other wards are Quitula, Ranoi, Coimawadd, Gutcoi, Udoi, Cottarbhat, Santerxette, Panarim, Naikawaddo, Castelwaddo, Carona, Lankdem, Panth Corjuem and Calvim.[3]

Demographics

As of the 2011 India census,[4] 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.

Aldona is one of the few, if not the only, village which has two comunidades (village communities, or ganvkaria). Following "endless fights for nearly four centuries, culminating in the comunidade's bifurcation into two bodies – Communidade Fraternal of the Brahmins (which included goldsmiths) and the Comunidade de Boa Esperanca of the Chardo (Kshatriya) and Sudra castes."[5]

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 20 January 1953 in Santerxette, Aldona, Goa, India)

St. Thomas Church
The facade of St. Thomas Church

The Church of St. Thomas remains an awe inspiring presence in Aldona.[6] 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 lead to an open plain that surrounds the grand white building.

Inside, the Church is ornately decorated with 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. However, it is said that the 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.

The gate of the Church graveyard has a sign in Konkani which reads "Aiz Maka, Falea Tuka", prominently displayed at the entrance, which translates into something akin to 'Me Today, You Tomorrow' , a poignant reminder of our mortality.

Prominent landmarks
Panoramic image of the Corjuem Fort, on the island of the same name, at Aldona.
  • Church of St Thomas
  • Aldona Cemetery
  • Aldona comunidade(s): The village community. This comunidade village is believed to be at least 2000 years old.[3]
  • St Thomas High School. Founded in 1923. Currently run by the Fransalian Fathers[5]
  • Statue for educationist Professor Edward Soares erected at the Aldona market triangle.
  • Cable-stayed bridge to Khorjuvem island[7]
  • Calvim bridge
  • Stone bridge across Aldona backwaters
  • Khorjuvem (Corjuvem) fort with four wide ramps
  • Cross marking the spot of the murder of Caitano Soares, en route to Ucassaim.[5]
  • State Bank of India, Aldona branch[8]
  • Bank of Baroda, Aldona branch, Goa[9]


Notable people
The late Alban Couto, former adviser to the Governor of Goa, and senior government bureaurat, at his study in Aldona, 2009.
  • Russel Alvares - Notable travel host
  • Alfred Rose — singer, tiatrist, melody king of Goa
  • Filipe Neri Ferrão — current Archbishop of Goa and Daman
  • Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi (2013-date).
  • Joseph Coutts, archbishop of Karachi, since 2012.
  • Fr. Gaspar Fernandes, O.F.M.Cap. – Catholic capuchin priest serving in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia[10]
  • Bernard Pereira. Soccer Player. Indian Olympian. Represented Orkay Mills.
  • Arthur Pereira. Soccer Player. Indian Olympian. Represented Orkay Mills.
  • Alban Couto, IAS officer first Development Commissioner of Goa After Liberation.
  • Bernardo Elvino de Sousa, author of The Last Prabhu, a book on genetics and history of Goa and Aldona.
  • Brendon Soares, renowned pastry chef at Harrods of London.
  • Bernard de Aldona - late singer-songwriter.
  • St. Thomas Church grounds and band stand
  • The interior of St. Thomas Church
  • Graveyard gate of St. Thomas Church
  • One of the many frescos that adorn the interior of St. Thomas Church
  • St. Thomas Parish Centre
  • The cable bridge connecting Aldona and Corjuem
  • A view of St. Thomas Church and the Mapusa River tributary of the Mandovi River
  • Mãe de Deus (Mother of God) Chapel in Corjuem
  • Mapusa river in Aldona Goa
  • A chapel in Aldona Goa
  • Sluice gate in Aldona Goa for fishing
  • Aldona Goa
  • View from Amaral/Cancio's homestay in Aldona
  • Approach road to St Thomas church
  • Bread making in Aldona Goa
  • Bread making in Aldona Goa
  • Bread freshly out
  • Village bus at Aldona
  • Bridge to Corjuvem island.
  • Cemetery at Aldona village in Goa. (2017)
  • Churchview at Aldona village in Goa. (2017)

References
  1. "Aldona Goa – Most Beautiful Village In The World | Inditales". www.inditales.com. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  2. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Aldona
  3. Pinto, Karina (12 July 2018). "Peace and tranquility in the beautiful village of Aldona". ItsGoa.com. Archived from the original on |archive-url= requires |archive-date= (help). Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  4. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  5. "Aldona Still standing tall". Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. "A page on Church of St. Thomas, Aldona from topsecretplaces.com". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2007.
  7. "GSIDC | Design and construction of Aldona – Corjuem bridge across river Mapusa". www.gsidcltd.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  8. "STATE BANK OF INDIA, Aldona Branch, North Goa, Goa, BankIFSCcode.com". bankifsccode.com. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  9. "Bank Of Baroda, Aldona Branch, Aldona, Goa". Gyanol. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  10. "Meet our shepherds".

State Bank Of India Aldona Branch Goa IFSC Code

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