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Tourism in Panaji
Tourist Information on Panaji
| Area | 35.99 Sq Km |
| Language | Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English |
| Religion | Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam |
| STD Code | 0832 |
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Tourism in Panaji, India
Panaji - The capital of Goa and headquarters of North Goa District, a small and charming city on the left bank of silvery Mandovi river, with beautiful, red-roofed houses, built in Latin style, also boasts of many modern houses, well laid gardens, statues and avenues lined with Gulmohar, Acassia and other trees. Enchanting panorama unfolds from atop Altinho (Hill Top)
History of Panaji
Panaji 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 Panaji by the Kadamba king, Shasthadeva (1007-1050), a good and a glorious king who "by his works redressed all the wrongs in his kingdom". This is gathered from an inscription of the Kadamba king, Vijayaditya I, dated February 7, 1107, and refers to Panaji as Pahajani Khali - Pahajani from which Panaji supposedly got its name and Khali probably refers to the creeks and backwaters abounding in the area. The first few Portuguese chroniclers, soon after the conquest of Goa, refer to Panaji as Panaji or Ponji which is said to mean "Land that never gets flooded". According to one Portuguese philologist, the word Pongy is derived from Panch Yma Afsumgary or five wonderful castles where the Muslim king, Ismail Adil Shah, and his wives used to live. Its name was later changed by the Portuguese into Panaji. When Old Goa collapsed in the 19th century, Panaji 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 Panaji.
Panaji originally was a neglected ward of Taleigao village. It was, in fact, a large coconut palm grove interspersed with ponds, backwaters, creeks, canals, sand dunes and paddy fields. The only conspicuous construction existing in the locality was the 15th century castle built by Adil Shah on the left margin of the Mandovi River.
On December 1, 1759, the Viceroy Dom Manuel de Saldanha de Albuquerque, Count Of Ega, shifted his residence from Panelim (near Old Goa) to Panaji. For this purpose, the old castle of Adil Shah was totally remodeled and a palace was built where, at present, the Government Secretariat stands. This has been the administrative and political seat of Government since then. It is here that the future of the State is decided and molded.
Tourism Attractions in Panaji
Panaji or Panajim perhaps does not have great buildings or well-known attractions but what it has is its character and that is more than enough for a willing visitor to have a look around. Panaji is also the travel hub of Goa and this is the first place to be touched up while you are landing in Goa. Dabolim Airport located on the outskirts of Panaji connect Goa with other places in India and also welcomes good number of charter flights directly flying from Europe. The town of Panaji is laid out in typical grid pattern, centered on a church square. It is a charming city on the left bank of the silvery Mandovi River. It has beautiful, red roofed houses with stucco walls built in Latin style, well laid gardens, statues and avenues lined with trees.
The Church Square or Largo de lgreja is the focal point. The Church of the Immaculate Conception, designed in Portuguese Baroque style was modeled on the church at Reis Magos. The image of Lady of Fatima can be found in one of the altars.
The Idalcao or Adilshahi Palace was rebuilt by the Portuguese Viceroy Jeronimo de Azevedo. It is part of the sequence of handsome buildings, which has now become the secretariat. At Cabo, on the western tip lies the Raj Niwas which was built in mud and laterite with beautifully landscaped gardens.
Other attractions in Panaji are library, Braganza Institute, Jama Masjid, Mahalaxmi Temple, St Thome quarter, and Sebastian Chapel.
Panaji Transportation
Reach Panaji By Air
Goa is connected by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Sahara Airlines flights from Mumbai (Bombay), Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Chennai (Madras), Mangalore and Trivandrum. Gateway for Goa is Dabolim Airport not far away from the city of Panaji.
Reach Panaji By Rail
Panaji is connected with Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Pune, Secunderabad, and Jaipur. Madgaon is the nearest railway station. Advance reservation can also be made at the Railway Out Agency at the Panaji Bus Terminus.
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