| Panaji is the capital city of the state of Goa and is the third largest city in the state. The city is one of the tourist destinations in the country for all types of tourists from various parts of the world. Also known as Panjim, Panaji is located on the banks of the Mandovi estuary and the Arabian Sea. It is an important part of the North Goa district. According to the local dialect, Panaji is popularly known as ‘the land that does not flood’. |
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| The ideal time for tourists to come for Panaji travel is between the months of October and February when the weather is fine. The weather is these months are pleasant with very little rainfall. The climate in Panaji is mostly marine tropical. The summer months are hot and humid while the winter months are pleasant and dry. As the city is located close to the sea, cool breeze blows over it almost all over the year |
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| Being a popular tourist destination, there are lots of tourist attractions in Panaji. The city is known for its idyllic beauty and rich tradition and culture. Thousands of tourists from various parts of the country and the world come to the city every year. Some popular tourist attractions in Panaji are Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Menezes Braganza Institute, Miramar Beach, Kala Academy cultural centre, Old City and so on |
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| There is a wide range of hotels in Panaji which offer lodging facilities of high standards. The hotels offer various types of comfortable facilities with a blend of style. The city is home to luxury hotels, middle range hotels as well as economy and budget hotels. Well known hotel chains also have their branches in the city. Most hotels are located within easy reach to the main city center and can be easily reached by various transport options |
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| Being the capital city, Panaji is a well known point of transportation and can be accessed by a number of routes. The city is served by the Dabolim Airport which is around 30 kms away. The airport operates plenty of domestic and international flights. The city is also well connected with other parts of the state and the country by a well developed railway and road network |
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| History of Panaji |
| Panajim or Panaji's history goes back to the Purta Dharmas - the charitable deeds of Gandagopal Kelima whose grandfather Kalapa was entrusted with the administration of Panajim by the Kadamba king, Shasthadeva, a good and a glorious king. The first few Portuguese chroniclers, soon after the conquest of Goa, refer to Panajim as Panaji or Ponji which is said to mean "Land that never gets flooded". Its name was later changed by the Portuguese into Panajim. On December 1, 1759, the Viceroy Dom Manuel de Saldanha de Albuquerque, Count Of Ega, shifted his residence from Panelim (near Old Goa) to Panajim. For this purpose, the old castle of Adil Shah was totally remodeled and a palace was built where, at present, the Government Secretariat stands. When Old Goa collapsed in the 19th century, Panajim was elevated to the status of a city on 22nd March 1843 and was renamed `Nova-Goa' (New Goa). After liberation in 1961, it came to be known as Panajim. |
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| Church of Immaculate Conception |
| It is south of the Secretariat at Panaji. It was built in 1541, subsequently enlarged and rebuilt in 1619. It is white in colour with Portuguese Baroque style tall twin towers. The bell fitted at the church is the second largest in Goa, which was brought from its original site Augustinian monastery in Old Goa. |
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| Institute Menezes Braganza |
| It is at Dr. Pissurlenkar Road, Opp Azad Maidan, Visit - Monday to Friday 0930 - 1300, 1400 -1745. It exhibits the paintings by European artists of 19th and early 20th century and Goan artists of the 20th century. The seven legged rectangular table used for interrogation during Inquisition is an attractive furniture kept at this Institute. The central library here has rare books and documents. |
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| Dona Paula |
| It is 7 Kms away from Panaji. This small palm fringed beach with casuarina groves is very peaceful. This has several resorts. |
