Panaji
Panaji means
�Land that never floods�. 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.
The church on the main square, the Baroque architecture, pretty
villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings give Panaji a
distinctly Portuguese ambience. The city lies along the left bank of
the Mandovi River - piled up against terraced hills, a jumble of
concrete buildings with whimsical balconies and red-tiled roofs,
bleached clean churches and a riverside promenade that is just right
for an evening stroll.
History of PanajiPanajim 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.
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. 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. Dona Paula It is 7 Kms away from Panaji. This small palm fringed beach with casuarina groves is very peaceful. This has several resorts. |
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