Panaji (Panjim) :

       Panaji the capital city of Goa located along the southern bank of the river Mandovi and is also known as the 'Mandovi Princess'.

The picturesque city is dominated by a hill called Altinho. which gives a panoramic view of the city.

Panaji is a well planned town known for its beautiful red-roofed houses in Latin style and a network of streets laid out at right angles, which are lined will gulmohar, acassia and other ornamental trees.

The capital city extends up to Dona Paula (8 kms.) on the Zuari Bay, and the main city is bounded by the Mandovi river to the north and the high ground of the Altinho to the south.

The Kadamba bus terminal is located to the east of the town and the area between the bus terminal and town centre is marked by the Church Square and the Municipal Garden and is indeed the most pleasant part of panaji.

Twin bridges across the River Mandovi lead to Porvorim, a fast developing suburb, which now houses Goa's new legislative assembly complex. Under the new bridge is the tourist jetty, from where a number of river cruise boats operate.

Panaji has excellent accommodation facilities restaurants, book shops, music stores and all the other amenities. The main attraction in Panaji is the carnival held here on every Sabada Gordo (Fat Saturday). There's a lot of singing and dancing, as well as a procession of heavily decorated floats.

The best way to see the town is by foot. You will come across some really well maintained colonial villas and red-roofed houses, so you will feel as if you in a small Portuguese town.

Most of the Head Offices of Financial Institutions / Banks and Business Houses are located all over panaji.



PLACES OF INTEREST

Secretariat Building (Idalcao Palace)

It occupies the site of the castle built by Yusuf Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1510 and is also known as the Idalcao's Palace. It is the oldest building in this part of Goa, but no signs of the original building can be seen now. The Portuguese rebuilt the castle in 1615, to defend the mouth of the river Mandovi.

It also served as the temporary residence for the incoming and outgoing Portuguese Viceroys and Governors. As per the tradition, new Viceroy was handed the ceremonial keys to the city of Old Goa under the "Viceroy's Arch".

In 1843, the structure became the Secretariat, and today it is the Passport Office.

Statue of Abbe Faria

The imposing bronze statue of Abbe Faria is an important landmark of Goa. It lies next to the Secretariat and portrays Faria in the act of mesmerising a woman patient. Joseph Faria, was born in 1755 at Candolim and went to Lisbon for theological training. He was ordained at Rome and later moved to Paris and participated in the French revolution.

In Paris, he developed interest in hypnosis under Franz Anton Mesmer and went on to become an authority in the Field of hypnotism. During the 18th century, entire Europe recognised him as the "Father of Hypnotism". Before his death he published a seminal text on hypnosis named 'On the Cause of Lucid Sleep".

Immaculate Conception Church for more info click here

Municipal Gardens

It is located in the city centre and has an Ashoka pillar at its centre. Earlier, there was a statue of Vasco da Gama, which has now been removed from here.

Jama Masjid

The domeless mosque lies just south of the Municipal Gardens. It was built by Suleman Shet and Aba Shet, about 200 years ago. Recently, it was completely renovated.

Azad Maidan

It is the venue for flower shows and also has small pavilion where modern Indian sculptures are displayed.

Menezes Braganza Institute & Central Library

Founded in 1871, as a scientific and literary institution and was known as the Institute of Vasco da Gama. It was renamed in 1963, after Luis de Menezes Braganza, the eminent freedom fighter of Goa.

The institute also has a small art gallery, which displays some rare prints and paintings.

Goa state Archaeology museum

It is located in Patto Plaza on the outskirts of Panji. There are seven galleries in the museum having about 8000 exhibits, which includes stones sculptures, wooden articles, Bronzes, Paintings, Money Scripts, Clay models etc.

Sculpture Gallery

It has Hindu carvings and Bronzes dating back to the 4th century. The copper plate inscription of Vira Varma, the Kadamba King dating back to 1049 A.D is quite interesting.

Christian Art Gallery

It displays wooden sculptures, devotional painting and intricately carved wooden furniture.

Banerji Art Gallery

It has collection of former governor of Goa Shri. S.K.Banarji. It houses Terracotta object of Indus valley civilization, science janapadas, Stone sculptures, south Indian Bronzes, wooden sculptures of south ease Asia and Dhokra ware etc.

Mahalakshmi Temple

The 18th century of goddess mahalakshmi is locate off Dada vaidya road. It perhaps the first Hindu temple built in Panaji during the Portuguese rule.

Astronomical observatory

It is located at Junta house and is open every year from 14th nov to 31 may
Timings : 19.30 to 21.30