THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Dolcy D’Cruz
When Aldona-based Austin Lobo as a student of Computer Application was part of the ‘Smart Home’, an interesting project, under the guidance of their project guide, Worrel D’Souza, assistant professor, Department of BCA, St Xavier's College, Mapusa, little did he know that within a few years, he would be taking the beauty of his parish to a wider audience through his expertise. St Thomas Church, Aldona, has become the first church in Goa to have its 360 Virtual mapping of the church.
As technology merges with spirituality, vr360degoa launched the first-ever 360 virtual mapping of St Thomas Church, Aldona, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of vibrant youth engagement. While other churches have YouTube videos of showing different aspects of the church, this ground-breaking achievement takes one right into the moment as they enter St Thomas Churchand admire every detail of the historical church.
Beginning from a chapel built in 1569 by the Franciscans, in 1596, the present site was chosen for the church. Aldona is the seventh parish established by the Franciscans in Bardez and the church celebrated its fourth centenary in 1996.The Catholic Youth of Aldona started in the parish in 1973. Currently, Fr Tomas SJ Lobo is the parish priest while Fr Agnel Simoes is the assistant parish priest.
The 360 virtual mapping is an extraordinary representation of the church's architecture, carried out by Austin Lobo and Errol Vales from Saligao from WHN Next(vr360degoa) capturing the essence of its sacred spaces and intricate details. “The dynamic and immersive experience extends beyond a mere visual representation. Compatible with VR headsets like the Oculus Quest 2, individuals can now virtually step into the church from the comfort of their homes. This ground-breaking feature allows visitors to stroll down the aisles, admire the exquisite stained glass windows, and immerse themselves in the profound spirituality that emanates from every corner of the church,” says Austin Lobo.
Virtual tours are made by combining 3D models and panoramic images that represent the visual support involved, with the information that is necessary for gaining an enhanced understanding of the realities presented.vr360degoa is a comprehensive 360 virtual mapping platform. They seamlessly integrate these immersive 360 virtual tours into websites, providing universal access for users from the convenience of their homes. Additionally, the virtual tours are VR headset-compatible, including devices like Meta, offering an enriched and immersive experience. vr360degoa’sendeavor is not only a testament to technological innovation but also a commitment to preserving the rich traditions that have defined the church for more than four centuries.
“Hailing from Aldona, it is truly an honour and privilege for us to embark on the 360 virtual mapping of our exquisite church. I take immense pride that we are the first ones in Goa to do this 360 virtual mapping of a church,” says Austin.
He further adds, “We aimed at connecting Aldonkars and everyone across the globe who haven't been able to visit the church for so long. They can relive the nostalgia, by visiting the church virtually. It's a bridge that connects Aldonkars with their heritage and roots.We had seen 360 Virtual mapping of places across the globe in places like UK, US, etc so we wanted to do something for Goa. We believe in giving back to the community so that's how we decide to map Aldonachurch.”
vr360degoa further revealed that the 360 virtual mapping is now live and accessible on the church’s website, stthomaschurchaldona.com and their official website, vr360degoa.com. This means that anyone, regardless of location, can embark on a virtual pilgrimage, experiencing the beauty and significance of the church with just a few clicks. This initiative reflects the church's dedication to sharing its cultural and spiritual heritage with a global audience.
“We’ve received an overwhelmingly positivefeedback. 360 Virtual Mapping was unfamiliar to many and they were really stunned with such a concept, while some have only encountered it abroad, experiencing it for the first time in Goa was special to them,” explains Austin.
As the church commemorates 50 years of youth engagement, the unveiling of the 360 virtual mapping serves as a powerful symbol of progress while honouring age-old traditions.
“On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Aldona Parish Youth, one of our youth, Austin Lobo, did the 360° virtual
