Chorão, also known as Choddnnem (pronounced choddne the letter m is silent), is an island along the Mandovi River near Tiswadi, Goa, India.

[11] According to Goan historian José Gerson da Cunha, Chorão was a site of an ancient Tirtha (sacred pool) and was known as Mahakshetra (Great country or place).

[6] Jesuit missionary and writer Luís Fróis described the residents of Chorão as follows, "These Brahmins are very polite and of keen intelligence.

They do not remarry on the death of their husbands and do not use coloured dresses and since the imposition of the law forbidding sati or widow burning they shave their heads even though they may be young.

)[16] Chorão's Brahmins were served by temple attendants called Kalavants (the community is now known as Gomantak Maratha Samaj in Goa).

In 1510, this area was one of the first to be conquered by the Portuguese and by 1552, the island of Chorão had a population of just above 3,000, 300 of whom were Christian and by this time, a small church was built.

The following year, in 1560, the first bishop from the Jesuit order, Dom João Nunes de Barreto set up residence in Chorão, which eventually became a Noviciate.

[18] Jesuit missionary and writer Luís Fróis in his letter dated 10 December 1560 says "Most of these Brahmins can speak Portuguese and are happy to learn the doctrine pertaining to Faith and Morals".

[19] With incredible brevity the whole of the Island of Chorão prepared itself for the general baptism which was fixed for 8 August 1560.

The Viceroy Dom Constantino of Braganza came with retinue and brought his musicians who played on a variety of instruments like trumpets, drums and charamelas.

Viceroy Dom Constantino of Braganza also stood as god-father (sponsor) to the important men of the place treating them with love and affection.

[24] A large number of magnificent buildings with storeys rose up surrounded by lovely flower garden and sometimes due to want of space attached to one another.

[25] Tradition has it that when these Fidalgos went for Mass, a special place was set apart to protect their superfine umbrellas, chiefly made of red damask.

[26] The fidalgos would be found often lounging near the ferry point on the south-eastern side of the island, waiting for patmarios (sail boats) to cross over to Old Goa or Ribandar.

The Fidalgos as well as the common folk took great delight in chewing on snacks available then and gulped down hot tea in the shacks.

They enjoyed the freshly steamed merem (snack) and sipped the hot cha (tea) at that spot.

According to the belief of the people the school was functioning in a building situated at the western part of the hill built as a residence of the Jesuits by Fr.

Chorão is also home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, in the western part of the island, on an area of 178 hectares.