Panaji, Goa

Panaji (also known as Panjim or Panji) is the capital City of Goa. The official name is Panaji. The Portuguese name was Pangim. The city is called Panjim in English. It has been spelt as Panaji since the 1960s. The city is called paṇaje or Ponnji in Konkani.

It is Goa’s third largest city after Vasco da Gama and Margao. Panaji means “Land that never floods”.

Panaji Circle under the Mandovi bridge links Panaji city to the road going to Ponda, Ribandar and Marcela

STD Code of Panaji: 0832

Location of Panaji (Panjim) City in Goa

Location of Panaji in Goa

Panaji is located on the banks of the River Mandovi estuary, in the district of North Goa.

Panaji Weather (Climate)

Panaji features a tropical monsoon climate. The climate in Panaji is hot in summer and equable in winter. During summers (from March to May) the temperature reaches up to 32°C and in winters (from December to February) it is usually between 28°C and 20°C.

The monsoon period is from June to September with heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The annual average rainfall is 2932 mm (115.5 inches).

Best Time to Visit Panaji (Goa)
The best season to visit Panaji is from October to April.

Panjim Places to see (Tourist Attractions)

• Church of Immaculate Conception
• Ruins of Church of St. Augustine
• The Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount
• Church of Convent Of St. Monica
• The Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assissi
• Archaeological Museum
• Old and rebuilt Adilshahi Palace (or Idalcao palace)
• The Menezes Braganza Institute and the Central Library
• The Mahalaxmi Temple
• The Jama Masjid mosque
• The Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Fontainhas
• Kala Academy
• Largo de lgreja
• Braganza Institute
• St Thome Quarter
• Sebastian Chapel
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
• Goa State Museum
• Institute Menezes Braganza & Central Library
• Se Cathedral
• The Pilar Monastery
• The Public Observatory

Beaches located near Panaji, Goa

• Miramar Beach
• Bambolim Beach
• Dona Paula Beach

Carnival and Festivals in Panji
The Carnival celebrations in February include a colourful parade on the streets. This is followed by the Shigmo/ xigmo, or Holi. The Narkasur parade on previous night of Divali in the city is very colourful.

How to Reach Panjim

By Flights: The nearest airport is at Dabolim, 35 km away from Panaji.

By train: The nearest railway station is Karmali Railway Station (IR station code : KRMI), about 10 km to the east, but many express trains do not halt there. A more important railhead is Madgaon Junction, 35 km to the south, being the main junction on the Konkan Railway all trains stop here.
From the railway station, taxis, rickshaws and buses go to Panaji, but if you are carrying only a backpack, motorcycle taxis are a bargain.

By bus: Panaji is connected with the state of Karnataka to the south and Maharashtra to the north by winding highways.
A wide range of busses are available. The non air-conditioned, state transport bus, that though cheap is an interesting way to travel. You can also take a reserved ticket, which assures you of a seat, though is no protection against over crowding.

The major state transport corporations operating in Goa are the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), from Goa, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), from Maharashtra, and the Karnataka State Road Transport from Karnataka. All the state transport busses, usually begin and terminate at the Kadamba bus stand at Panaji. Bookings, time tables etc. can be had here.

Dozens of semi luxury and luxury busses also connect Panaji with Mumbai, Pune, Mangalore, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. A relatively comfortable option is the Air conditioned Volvo coaches that operate towards the later hours.