he Tiswadi island of Chorao is located five kms from Panaji. The earliest settlers with the island had been 10 households of the Goud Saraswat Brahmins. The folks with the island are right now identified as the Chodankars. The island was earlier referred to as Chudamani, which implies ‘stunning precious stone’ in Sanskrit. According to the locals who call it Chodan or Chodna, when Yashoda the mom of Lord Krishna threw absent diamonds, the islands emerged from them. Later it received the name Ilha dos fidalgos (Island of noblemen) because the Portuguese noblemen found the island a pleasurable place to live.
Amongst the initial locations to become captured through the Portuguese who called the island Chorao, the Chorao Island is a quaint location that has a whitewashed church and a few aged villas. The island mystifies a lot of website visitors as it is screened by a thick hedge mangrove past the aquatic swathe. It is known to become the largest amidst Goa’s 17 islands that is also bestowed with rich riverine endowments by the Mandovi and Mapusa rivers jointly.
One can attain the Chorao Island by taking a ferry from Ribandar which is on the road to Aged Goa at around three km from Panaji. There is also a ferry linking Chorao to Pomburpa to the island’s west. 1 from the roads moves northwards to Mayem and Bicholim plus the other road passes uphill by the majestic 16th century church of Sao Bartholomew.
Going through the Arabian Sea, the Sa Bartholomew church was erected in 1569 and founded by the Jesuits. The magnificent landmark reflects the grandeur of Mannerist Neo-Roman architectural design. The church was transferred to the diocesan clergy prior to 1642 and it was remodeled in 1649. In 1559, the 2nd church dedicated to Our Lady of Grace came up in Maddel. This church was known for its significant fairs that were held to the feast day with horses, camels and textiles being traded by foreign merchants.
It is recognized that inside the island of Chorao earlier there existed a department of a College that was affiliated towards the University in Benares. It had its personal seat of understanding, teaching Sanskrit and historic literature. On April 2, 1761 when the Oratorians took around the academic tasks, a seminary known as Actual Colegio de Educacao de Chorao was also established.
The Chorao island also had many ancient temples including Ganesha, Ravalnatha, Bhaukadevi, Mallinatha, Bhagvati, Devki, Santa-Purusha, Barazan, Narayan, Cantessor, Chandeussor and Dadd-Sancol. These were destroyed by the Portuguese and this was the time the people of Chorao smuggled the deities via Mayem to Naroa and Marcela exactly where they are held.
The Chorao island offers image postcard views with the towering Old Goa convents. The famous Dr. Salim Ali bird sanctuary is also located right here. Nonetheless to discover the sanctuary one wants a canoe because the forest department has no operational boats. Numerous delicate drink stalls are located to the ferry wharf on Chorao and 1 of those hires out a canoe with a guidebook in season that is from October to April. A drive around the island takes you back to vintage Goa.