Panaji Maps

Panaji, the capital of the state of Goa, is a tiny city that packs in a large punch. The official name for the Panaji is Panaji, though in Konkani it is often pronounced as ‘Ponnji’. Panaji means ‘the land that does not flood’. The Portuguese name for it was ‘Pongim’, from which originated the other name by which it is known – Panjim. Panaji is built around a church facing a prominent square and lies on the banks of the Mandovi estuary; in the district of North Goa Panaji has some beautiful Portuguese Baroque style buildings. Panaji is Goa's third largest city after Vasco and Madgaon.

Panaji, was earlier a small village on the riverfront, little more than a minor landing stage and customs house – protected by a hilltop fort, and surrounded by stagnant swampland. In 1843 it became the capital after the port at Old Goa had silted up, and its rulers and impoverished inhabitants had fled the plague. The Portuguese did much to perk up Panjim, draining the surrounding marshes and raising public buildings over it, yet the new capital could not quite replicate the grandeur of Old Goa. The city was then renamed Nova Goa (‘New Goa’ in Portuguese) when it officially replaced the city of Goa – which is now Old Goa – as the administrative seat of Portuguese India. The viceroy, though, had already moved to Panaji in 1759. Panaji became a state capital on Goa's elevation to statehood in May 1987.

Being built around a church facing a prominent square, the church on the main square, Panaji has Baroque architecture, pretty villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings that give it a distinctly Portuguese ambience. The Old Portuguese quarter of Fontainhas, is a nostalgic kickback to the days of yore. Panaji also is the headquarters of North Goa District. Most of the city’s buildings are built in Latin style, however Panaji also boasts of many modern houses, well laid gardens, statues and avenues lined with Gulmohar, Acassia and other trees.

Here are some quick facts on Panaji: