Chorao

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Chorao is an island along the river Mandovi near Panaji, Goa, India. The island was called chudamani , meaning stunning precious stone in Sanskrit. Local legends tell of the islands emerging from the diamonds that were thrown away by Yashoda the mother of Lord Krishna. The Islanders call it chodan or chodna. It was the Portuguese who called it chorao. The Portuguese noblemen found the island a pleasurable place to live and hence the name Ilha dos fidalgos(Island of noblemen). 10 families of Goud Saraswat Brahmins were amongst the earliest settlers of this island. The island was said to be a place of learning and said to have a University of Sanskrit. According to the Hindu deities and Temples by Rui Pereira Gomes, the island had ancient temples of Ganesh, Ravalnath, Bhaukadevi, Mallinath, Bhagwati, Devki, Santa-purush, Narayan, Kanteshwar, Chandeshwar and Dadd-sancol. When the Portuguese began to forcibly Christianize the Goan islands, many Hindus fled chudamani and shifted Hindu idols via Mayem to Naroa and Marcela. The island was Christianised by the Jesuits as they did the Island of Divar and salsette(Saxti).

'An edict of 1556 saw all the lands, gardens and immovables like gold and silver of the temples of the Island of Chorao, Divar, Vanxim and Jua move over to the Jesuits. The gavnkars were warned to do all under this oath, failing which they would forfeit their properties.' - Jesuit education in Goa, by Chares J Borges.

A seminary called the Real colegio de educacao de chorao was established in April 1761. A temple of Shri Devaki Krishna Bhumika Mallinath was rebuilt on 11th January, 1934.

Amongst the Christian places of worship is the Church of St Bartholemew. The other church is the Church of Our Lady of Grace. Chorao is also home to the Salim Ali Bird Sancutary. Hindus and Christians live peacefully today on this emerald island.