Naroa | |
---|---|
Village | |
![]() Dome of the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Candelária | |
Coordinates: 15°31′52″N73°55′23″E / 15.530976°N 73.923163°E Coordinates: 15°31′52″N73°55′23″E / 15.530976°N 73.923163°E | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Goa |
District | North Goa |
Taluka | Ilhas |
Government in São Matias | |
• Type | Panchayat |
• Sarpanch | seat vacant |
Elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | <1,000 |
Demonym | Naroakor |
Languages | |
• Official | Konkani |
• Also Spoken (understood) | English, Marathi, Hindi |
• Historical | Portuguese |
Religions | |
• Dominant | Christianity, Hinduism |
• Minor | Islam |
• Historical | Roman Catholicism |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Postcode | 403403 |
Telephone code | 0832 |
Vehicle registration | none |
Website | goa |
Naroa is a village located on the eastern tip of the island of Divar, in the Indian state of Goa. It has a population of barely a thousand people, with about 80 houses.
The Island subsequently became the residence place of many dignified families of Goa. It also houses three parochial churches and possesses a chapel of two images of Christ held in great veneration by the Catholics of the place. The ruins of a fort are evident in the northern part of the village.
It claimed its blessed status due to the confluence of three branches of the Mandovi that flowed by the village. The Hindus called this confluence the tirth (holy water), that washed away their sins after a dip in its waters. Naroa was also home to the Temple of Saptakoteshwar that was held in high reverence by the Hindu populace, not just the locals but from far and wide. Once a bustling place of pilgrimage, the village of Naroa now seems lost, its many secrets, on the verge of submerging into the waters of the Mandovi.
A prayer and catechism house was constructed in 1563, which was later transformed into a chapel. The chapel was erected the following year. The sanctuary of the chapel of Our Lady of Candelaria is round and topped by a dome, which is a unique character found in only two other chapels in Goa.
The Jesuit priest Moren de Souza writes about the history of the Naroa church in his book Tisvaddecheo Igorzo (Churches of Tiswadi):
"During routine inspection, one Portuguese commander found the fortress of Naroa practically empty. It seemed that being a Sunday, the entire garrison had gone to a neighbouring church for Sunday services. To solve this problem, the officials decided to construct a church there. Accordingly, the king of Portugal wrote a letter dated 8th March 1546 to Dom Joao de Castro and instructed him to build a church at Naroa and dedicate it to St. Thomas the Apostle. A document dated in the year 1710 reveals that Diogo da Silveira, captain of the fort of Naroa built this church. Though the church is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, a statue of St Thomas adorns the main altar." [1]
A cross, built right on the edge of the river Mandovi. This ward is called Tarir, where all the vodekar (boatmen) of the area reside. They would sing the litany of this cross by standing in their own canoes in the river. It was believed that if the cross ever got submerged, the water would enter their homes. So to protect them from this calamity they would conduct the litany.
The peaceful ferry wharf that connects Illhas to Bicholim was once a hostile border between the Portuguese and the kingdom of Bijapur. Hence a fortress was erected to guard this entry point in the 17th century. [2]
Situated in the Island of Divar, which is opposite the old city of Goa, Ilhas, the fort, was originally built by the Muslims. It was abandoned in 1834 and is now in ruins. Though the fortress is in ruins, an old garrison church adjacent to the fortress still serves the locals. Though the church is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, a statue of St Thomas adorns the main altar. The church contains many graves, perhaps of its gallant Captains who now sleep peacefully, as all hostilities are put to rest.
An ancient well or bath is present in the village at Porne Tirth. It is known as Koti Tirth Tali. It has 108 carved small temples, the pond was of Shri. Saptkoteshwar.
Old Goa is a historical site and city situated on the southern banks of the River Mandovi, within the Tiswadi taluka (Ilhas) of North Goa district, in the Indian state of Goa.
Raj Bhavan is a residential palace and fort situated in Dona Paula, Goa which serves as the official residence of the governor of Goa. The sprawling 88 acres estate is located on a cape in the Goan capital, Panjim. Known by the name "Palácio do Cabo" until it gained official status as the residence of the governor of Goa, this palace is said to be built between the 16th and 17th century in the erstwhile Portuguese India. The fort is strategically positioned facing the Arabian sea opposite the well-preserved 17th century Forte Aguada.
Bicholim, pronounced, also known as Divchal and Dicholi, is a town and a municipal council in North Goa district in the state of Goa, India. It is the headquarters of the Concelho (district) of Bicholim, one of seven that make up the Novas Conquistas, territories added to Goa comparatively latter than the first three of the Velhas Conquistas. The town is located about 30 kilometres from the capital Panjim. It is in the mining heartland of Goa.
Chorão, also known as Choddnnem or Chodan, is an island along the Mandovi River near Tiswadi, Goa, India. It is the largest among other 17 islands of Goa. It is located 5 kilometres away from the state capital, the city of Panaji and 10 kilometres away from the city of Mapusa.
San Thome Church, officially known as St Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church in India, at the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. The present structure dates to 1523 AD, when it was rebuilt by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle. In 1896, it was renovated in the Madras province according to neo-Gothic designs, as was favoured by British architects in the late 19th century. It is one of the only three churches of the apostolic age of ancient Christianity, known for enshrining the tomb of an apostle and are still standing in the world today; the other two being the St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain. In antiquity, there was a basilica built over the tomb of the Apostle Philip in Hierapolis of Phrygia, present-day Pamukkale.
The island of Divar lies in the Mandovi river in the Indian state of Goa.
Aldona is a village in the Taluka of Bardez in the Indian state of Goa. It is known for producing several prominent Goans.
Reis Magos is a village located on the northern bank of the Mandovi River in Bardez, Goa, opposite to the capital city of Panjim. The village is famous for two of Goa’s famous structures; the Reis Magos Fort, and the Reis Magos Church – the first church in Bardez. Reis Magos is the Portuguese name for the Three Wise Men from the Bible.
Diu Island is an island off the southern coast of Gujarat's Kathiawar peninsula, separated from the mainland by a tidal creek. It has an area of 40 km², and a population of 44,110.
Tiswadi is a sub-district in the district of North Goa, situated in the Indian coastal state of Goa. It is the largest and populous island of Goa situated in the basin of the Zuari and Mandovi rivers. It was one of the first territories to be annexed by Portugal in 1510 AD. Both the state capital Panaji, and the former capital Old Goa are within the sub-district. It is one of 6 major islands between the Mandovi and Zuari rivers.
Cumbarjua, is an island and town within the Mandovi River in Goa. It is situated to the east of Goa's capital Panjim at a distance of 20 kilometres. It is one of 6 major islands between the Mandovi and Zuari, he others being:
Taleigão, or Platô de Taleigão, is a neighborhood located in the southern part of the city of Panaji, the capital of the Indian state of Goa. It is entirely located on the island of Tiswadi, which is one of the talukas in the state of Goa. The neighborhood is known for its important campus at the Goa University.
The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located in Panjim, Goa, India. The Church conducts Mass every day in English, Konkani, and Portuguese.
Fort Assunção or Corjuem Fort is a fortress situated 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the village of Aldona on the river island of Corjuem, Goa. It was a military fortress for the defense of Portuguese India. It is smaller than the other forts in Goa, but it gives a good view of the surrounding river and land. It is a protected monument under the Goa, Daman and Diu ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains act.
Santo Estêvão or St Estevam is an island in Tiswadi, Goa, India. St Estevam is known also Jua and in the past was known as Shakecho Juvo – the isle of vegetables – known for its long, seven-ridged, light green ladyfingers. Therefore, the people of Jua came to be nicknamed 'bhende'. The island is named after St. Stephen. It is one of Goa's most prosperous villages, often quoted by ex-Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane for having a high per capita income.
São Mathias also known as Malar is a village on Divar Island, Tiswadi or Ilhas, in the Indian state of Goa. The island is located 10 km upriver from Panjim.
The statue of Our Lady of Miracles, Jaffna patão is a wooden statue, now preserved in the church of São Pedro, in Bainguinim, Goa, India.
Vanxim or Capão is an island of Goa situated in the Ilhas region. One can reach here by taking a ferry from Divar. The colonial name for Vanxim was Capão. One may see a lot of houses with few villagers many of whom are fisher-folk in the area. Silveiras, Furtados, Vas, Olivera are surnames of people. Mahendra Gaunekar sold the parts of the island to Ozone corporate. Luxury hotel and Golf Course is sort to be forced upon this island but faced resistance from alert islanders and others.
Churches and Convents of Goa is the name given by UNESCO to a set of religious monuments located in Goa Velha, in the state of Goa, India, which were declared a World Heritage Site in 1986.
Fort Naroa was situated on the eastern tip of the Island of Divar, on the Ilhas de Goa near the old capital of Goa, in the Velhas Conquistas. It was originally built as a military camp by the Deccan sultanates in the 1500s. After its capture by the Portuguese, it was rebuilt and reinforced to protect the eastern border against the Bijapur Sultanate. After the incorporation of the Novas Conquistas regions, the fort lost its sole and primary purpose and it was subsequently abandoned by1834 to now be in ruins.