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Panjim
Panaji, the capital city of Goa is the charming little travel hub for the tourists coming to Goa. Though, it does not possess several world renowned monuments, its bears an ambience which has a captivating charm. Panjim or Panaji is one of the India's smallest and pleasantest state capitals and is located on the south bank of the wide Mandovi River. The town has preserved its Portuguese heritage appreciably well and parts of it still contains narrow winding streets, old houses with over hanging balconies, red-tiled roofs and numerous small bars and cafe's. The charm of Panaji is a that it is very small city, and has little scope for growth as it is bounded by Altinho (a hillock), on one side, the Arabian sea on the other Mandovi River on the third side, and Ourem Creek on the fourth so the city will always retain its charm and beauty.Sightseeing at Panjim -
The Idalcao Palace : The Idalcao Palace was once the castle of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur. It served as the Viceregal Palace until 1759 after the Portuguese rebuilt it in 1615. In 1843 it housed the secretariat and now it is the Passport office.Our Lady of Immaculate Conception : Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is Panaji's main church, which was built in 1541 and enlarged in 1619. It is designed after the church at Reis Magos, and the second largest bell in Goa that was salvaged from the ruins of the Augustian Monastery in Velha Goa is now placed here.
Braganza Institute : The main attraction of the Braganza Institute is a blue tiled frieze depicting the Portuguese colonisation of India.
Mahalaxmi Temple : A Hindu temple, the Mahalaxmi Temple speak volumes of the Hindu population living here.
Jama Masjid : The Jama Masjid located in Panaji is one of the few mosques in coastal Goa. It was built after the Inquisition.
The Chapel of St Sebastian : The Chapel of St Sebastian is a relatively new structure that was built in the 1880's. It has the crucifix that was originally in the Palace of Inquisition in Velha Goa.
Reaching Panjim :
Air : Goa is connected by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Sahara Airlines flights from Mumbai (Bombay), Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Chennai (Madras), Mangalore and Trivandrum. Dabolim Airport is the nearst aiport from the city of Panaji.Rail : Panaji is connected with Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Pune, Secunderabad, and Jaipur. Madgaon is the nearest railway station.
Road : Panaji is well connected to all the major cities of the Goa and nearby states.
