UpdateBot at 19:41, 6 April 2022

2022-04-06T19:41:45Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Aldona
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Goa#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Aldona in Goa
| coordinates = {{coord|15|35|23|N|73|52|24|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Goa]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[North Goa]]
| subdivision_type3 = Sub-district
| subdivision_name3 = [[Bardez]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body = Panchayat
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 19
| population_total = 6320
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 403508
| area_code = 91 0832
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Aldona''' is a Village in the Taluka of [[Bardez]] in the [[India]]n [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Goa]]. It is known for producing several prominent [[Goans]].

==Geography==
Aldona is located at {{Coord|15|35|23|N|73|52|24|E|}} at an average elevation of {{Convert|19|m|ft}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/33/Aldona.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Aldona]</ref>

Aldona, as a [[Comunidades of Goa|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 [[Gram panchayat|panchayat]]. Aldona comunidade's other wards are Quitula, Ranoi, Coimawaddo, Gutcoi, Udoi, Cottarbhat, Santerxette, Panarim, Naikawaddo, Castelwaddo, Carona, Lankdem, Panth, Corjuem and Calvim.<ref name="ItsGoa">{{Cite web|url=https://www.itsgoa.com/beautiful-village-aldona/|title=Peace and tranquility in the beautiful village of Aldona|last=Pinto|first=Karina|date=July 12, 2018|website=itsgoa.com|url-status=|access-date=October 22, 2018}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{As of|2001|alt=As of the 2011 India census}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archivedate=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|accessdate=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Aldona had a population of 6,320. Males constituted 46% of the population and females 54%. Pin Code of Aldona is 403508 which comes under Goa postal division (Goa-Panaji Region, Maharashtra Circle).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://webconte.com/pin_code/place/aldona/1391|title=Pin Code Aldona, North Goa, Goa Government}}</ref> The average literacy rate was 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Among the literate, 49% were males and 51% were females. 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 of Goa|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."<ref name="Ash">{{Cite news|url=http://goastreets.com/aldona-still-standing-tall/|title=Aldona Still standing tall|access-date=2018-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019205554/http://goastreets.com/aldona-still-standing-tall/|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Government and politics==
Aldona is part of [[Aldona (Goa Assembly constituency)]] and [[North Goa (Lok Sabha constituency)]].

==Religion==
Aldona is a multi-religious village where residents include mainly Christians, Hindus, and Muslims. In addition to the Catholic Church and several Chapels, there exist temples spread all over the village.
The [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Church is dedicated to São Tomé (St. Thomas). The Chapels include those in the localities of Carona (St. Rita de Cascia), Quitula (Nosa Senhora de Piedade) and Corjuem (Mãe de Deus).

It has several wards (vadde), which include Quitula, Goncoi, Udoim, Coimavaddo (Voilo and Sokoilo), Carona, Santerxette, Khoirut, Castel Vaddo, Naikavaddo, Panarim, Maina Vaddo, Cottarbat, Soddo, Goddar, Panarim and Ranoi.

The Central part of Aldona is connected to Corjuem by a state-of-the-art cable-stayed bridge held by six cables from either direction.

The current Catholic [[Patriarch of the East Indies]] and [[Archdiocese of Goa and Daman|Archbishop of Goa and Daman]], India, [[Filipe Neri Ferrão|Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão]] is from Aldona (born 20 January 1953 in Santerxette, Aldona, Goa, India)

==St. Thomas Church==
[[File:St.Thomas Church, Aldona, Goa.JPG|The façade of St. Thomas Church|thumb|left]]The St. Thomas Church remains an awe-inspiring presence in Aldona.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://topsecretplaces.com/places/aldona/church-st-thomas |title=A page on Church of St. Thomas, Aldona from topsecretplaces.com |access-date=22 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928084629/http://topsecretplaces.com/places/aldona/church-st-thomas |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It was built in 1596 on a high plateau on the banks of the [[Mapusa River]], a tributary of the [[Mandovi River]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=St. Thomas Church - Aldona, Goa - India|url=https://stthomaschurchaldona.com/|access-date=2021-06-22|website=St. Thomas Church|language=en-US}}</ref> A flight of broad steps cut into a cliff lead to an open plain that surrounds the grand white building.
The Feast of St. Thomas is celebrated each year on the second Saturday following Easter.

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 bandstand 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 'Today for me, tomorrow for you', a poignant reminder of our mortality.

==Prominent landmarks==
[[File:Corjuem fort.jpg|Panoramic image of the Corjuem Fort|thumb|upright=2.5]]
* St. Thomas Church
* Cemetery of the St. Thomas Church, Aldona
* Aldona comunidade(s): The village community. This comunidade village is believed to be at least 2000 years old.<ref name="ItsGoa" />
* St Thomas High School. Founded in 1923. Currently run by the Fransalian Fathers<ref name="Ash" />
* Statue for educationist Professor Edward Soares erected at the Aldona market triangle.
* Cable-stayed bridge to Corjuem island<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gsidcltd.com/project/aldona-corjuem-bridge-across-the-river-mapusa/|title=GSIDC {{!}} Design and construction of Aldona – Corjuem bridge across river Mapusa|website=www.gsidcltd.com|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref>
* Calvim bridge
* Stone bridge across Aldona backwaters
* Khorjuvem (Corjuem) fort with four wide ramps
* Cross marking the spot of the murder of Caitano Soares, en route to [[Ucassaim]].<ref name="Ash" />
* [[State Bank of India]], Aldona branch<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bankifsccode.com/STATE_BANK_OF_INDIA/GOA/NORTH_GOA/ALDONA|title=STATE BANK OF INDIA, Aldona Branch, North Goa, Goa, BankIFSCcode.com|website=bankifsccode.com|access-date=2018-10-19}}</ref>
* Bank of Baroda, Aldona branch, Goa<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bank Of Baroda, Aldona Branch, Aldona, Goa|url=https://ifsccode.gyanol.com/bank-of-baroda-aldona-barb0aldona|access-date=2020-06-22|website=Gyanol|language=en}}</ref>
* HDFC BANK, Aldona branch, Goa<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiabanksifsccode.com/HDFC-BANK/GOA/ALDONA/ALDONA|title=HDFC BANK, Aldona Branch, Goa, IndiaBanksIFSCCode.com|website=indiabanksifsccode.com|access-date=2021-04-27}}</ref>
* CANARA BANK, Indian bank, Tamil Nadu<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bankcifnumberinfo.com|title=HDFC BANK, Aldona Branch, Goa, tamilnadu IndiaBanksIFSCCode.com|website=bankcifnumberinfo.com|access-date=2021-04-27}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Alfred Rose (singer)|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–present).
* [[Joseph Coutts]], archbishop of Karachi, since 2012.
* Fr. Gaspar Fernandes, [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|O.F.M. Cap.]], Catholic capuchin priest serving in the [[Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.sacredheartchurchbahrain.org/index.php/priests | title=Meet our shepherds}}</ref>
* Bernardo Elvino de Sousa, author of ''The Last Prabhu'', a book on genetics and history of Goa and Aldona.
*Alban Couto, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer - first Development Commissioner of Goa after [[Liberation of Goa|liberation]].

[[File:St. Thomas Church, Aldona.jpg|thumb|alt=St. Thomas Church Aldona]]
==Gallery==
<gallery showfilename="yes">
File:St. Thomas Church Aldona, grounds and band stand.JPG|St. Thomas Church
File:Interior of St. Thomas Church Aldona , Goa.JPG|The interior of St. Thomas Church
File:Graveyard gate of St. Thomas Church Aldona.JPG|St. Thomas Church Cemetery
File:One of the many beautiful frescos that adorn the interior of St Thomas Church, Aldona.JPG|One of the many frescos that adorn the interior of St. Thomas Church
File:St.Thomas Parish Center , Aldona, Goa.JPG|St. Thomas Parish Centre
File:Cable Bridge Corjuem.JPG|The cable bridge connecting Aldona and Corjuem
File:View of Aldona and Mapusa River tributary of the Mandovi River.JPG|A view of St. Thomas Church and the Mapusa River tributary of the Mandovi River
File:Mae De Deus Chapel , Corjuem.JPG|Mãe de Deus (Mother of God) Chapel in Corjuem
File:Mapusa11.JPG|Mapusa river in Aldona Goa
File:Chapel-Aldona.JPG|A chapel in Aldona Goa
File:Sluice gate in aldona.JPG|Sluice gate in Aldona Goa for fishing
File:1-IMG 4566.JPG|Aldona Goa
File:Chapel and lake view.JPG|Aldona, Goa
File:Approach to St Thomas l.JPG|Approach road to St. Thomas church
File:Breadmaking.JPG|Bread making in Aldona Goa
File:Breadmaking11.JPG|Bread making in Aldona Goa
File:Breadmaking122.JPG|Bread freshly out
File:Village bus at Aldona, Goa, India. Photo Frederick Noronha.jpg|Village bus at Aldona
File:Cemetery at Aldona village in Goa. Photo Frederick Noronha.jpg|St. Thomas Church Cemetery
File:St. Thomas Church, Aldona.jpg|St. Thomas Church Aldona
File:St. Thomas Church, Aldona View.jpg|alt=St. Thomas Church Aldona|St. Thomas Church Aldona
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in North Goa district]]

Aldona - Revision history

UpdateBot at 19:41, 6 April 2022