Panaji is the third-largest city of Goa and also its capital. It is also regarded as one of the best tourist destinations in India attracting diverse category of tourists coming from different corners of India as well as other parts of the world. Panaji, known also as Panjim, is situated along the Arabian Sea and the banks of the Mandovi estuary. Panaji also forms a vital part of the district of North Goa. As per the local Konkani dialect, Panaji is famously called "the land that does not flood."

History of Panaji
With the end of Operation Vijay, the colonial Portuguese rule in India also ended over Panaji and the same was included in the Indian union along with the rest of Goa and the previous Portuguese colonies in the year 1961. Panaji thus became the capital city of Goa which got its statehood in the year 1987. From the year 1961 to 1987, Panaji performed the role of the capital of the Union Territory of Daman and Diu and Goa.A new Legislative Assembly complex was formed in the month of March 2000, over the Mandovi River, in Alto Porvorim. Panaji also serves as the administrative headquarters of the district of North Goa.

Geography of Panaji
The exact location of the capital city is at 15.48øN and 73.83øE. The city bears an average elevation of seven metres or 23 feet. The climate of Panaji is tropical monsoon. The summers are hot and winters are equable. In summer, which falls between the month of March and May, the temperature gets to a maximum of up to 40øC and during the winter season, which falls between the month of December and February, the temperature remains between 32øC and 20øC. The season of monsoon falls between the month of June and September, which is accompanied by gusty winds and heavy rain. The average rainfall per annum is 2932 mm or 115.5 inches. This capital city has several educational institutions of repute.

Demography of Panaji
According to the 2001census, the capital city of Panaji had a total population of 58,785 of which the male members constitute 51% of the population and the total female population form 49%. It has an average literacy rate of 81%, which is more than the national average of 59.5%. The literacy rate for male is 85% and for female is 77%.

Education in Panaji
Some of the prominent educational Institutes located in the city of Panaji in Goa include Goa Medical College, Goa Institute of Management, Don Bosco High School, Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, at Altinho, Sharada Mandir at Miramar, Dhempe College of Arts & Sciences, at Miramar, Don Bosco High School, Mushtifund High school, Mary Immaculate Girls High School at San Tome/Fontainhas, Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa College of Fine Arts, Goa Polytechnic Panaji, Dr. Hedgewar High School, Our lady of Rosary ( Green Rosary) Donapaula, The Rosary High School Miramar, Taleigao Chess Academy dedicated to promote chess as learning tool, etc.

Apart from these, the only university situated in the India state of Goa is the Goa University which is at Taleigao Plateau on the fringes of Panaji. The National Institute of Oceanography or NIO is located at Dona Paula, on the fringes of the city of Panaji. This research center carries out research in the field of marine sciences.

Tourism in Panaji
Panaji or Panajim do not possess great buildings or famous attractions, but those available in the city are more than sufficient to attract anyone to explore the beautiful city. The city is also the travel hub of the state of Goa and it is the place where one is bound to visit first while visiting Goa. The Dabolim Airport, which is situated on the vicinity of Panaji links Goa with various other destinations in India and also draws a considerable amount of charter flights flying directly from Europe. Panaji is designed in the typical grid pattern, concentrated on a church square. The city is very charming and presents a spectacular setting because of its location by the side of the silvery Mandovi River. Here one can find, elegant, red roofed houses having stucco walls constructed in Latin style, statues, well-decorated gardens and avenues lined with trees.

Largo de lgreja or the Church Square is the point of focus. The Church of the Immaculate Conception, planned in the style of the Portuguese Baroque was designed on the church at Reis Magos. Lady Fatima`s image can be seen in one of the altars. The Adilshahi Palace or the Idalcao was reconstructed by the Portuguese Viceroy Jeronimo de Azevedo. It forms a part of the good-looking buildings, which is the secretariat in Panaji presently. At Cabo, on the western angle is the Raj Niwas which was constructed in mud and laterite with elegantly designed gardens. Some of the other major attractions in the city of Panaji include library, St Thome quarter, Jama Masjid, Braganza Institute, Mahalaxmi Temple and Sebastian Chapel, etc.

Visiting information to Panaji
How to Reach Panaji
By Air: Goa is well-connected by Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Sahara Airlines flights from the metro city of Mumbai, Cochin, Chennai (Madras), Bangalore, Delhi, Mangalore and Trivandrum. Goa`s gateway is Dabolim Airport which is not far away from Panaji city.

By Rail: The city is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Secunderabad, Pune and Jaipur. The nearest railway station is Madgaon and advance reservation can be made at the Railway Out Agency located in the Panaji Bus Terminus.

There are several types of hotels available for the tourists as well as visitors in Panaji which provide excellent facilities and comforts which also include some of the three star hotels in the capital city.

Famous for its beautiful beaches, Panaji is filled with various attractions which attract tourists from all parts of India and also from various other parts of the world throughout the year.