Information about Cabo Raj Bhavan / Governors Palace Goa
Location: Goa
State: Goa
Capital: Panji
Language: Konkani, Hindi, English, Marathi
Temperature: Max 33˚C, Min 26˚C (summer), Max 26˚C, Min 14˚C (winter)
Best Season: March to June
How to Reach:
By Air :
Dabolim is the main entry point for Goa situated at a distance of around 29 km from Panaji on the coast near Vasco da Gama. Most domestic airlines operate in Goa apart from chartered private airlines operating from UK and Germany. Indian Airlines has direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai daily. Air India also flies to Goa.
By Rail :
It is not difficult to reach Goa by trains, especially after opening of the Konakan Railway that connects Margao and Vasco da Gama to major cities in India. You can take trains from Delhi 1,874 km), Mumbai (490km), and Bangalore (430 km) to reach Goa comfortably. From the railway stations, you can hire taxis and motorcycle taxis to reach the desired destinations.
By Road:
Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka state transport corporations operate from the Kadamba bus stand at Panaji. Frank Shipping operates a boat service between Mumbai and Panaji.
Situated at the end of a narrow cape where the Mandovi and Zuari rivers merge into the sea, the Cabo Raj Bhavan also known as the Governor’s Palace, is the official residence of the governor of Goa. After the liberation of Goa it came to be known as the Cabo Raj Niwas.
Built in 1540 AD the Cabo Raj Bhavan was called ‘Palacio de Cabo’ in the Portuguese times and was the residence of the Governor General. A chapel that is about 500 years old is situated at the corner of the Raj Bhavan, the feast of which is held on 15 August and a big fair is held.
The Raj Bhavan palace was originally built as a fortress to monitor and control the entry of vessels at the mouth of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers and to guard them. It has a fine collection of antique artifacts like Bohemian glass chandeliers and Chinese Porcelain and it is a double story structure. It was taken as the residence of the Governor General in 1866.
At the Cabo Raj Bhavan site one can also visit a small church that was founded in 1541 by the Portuguese which is known as the Our Lady of Cabo church.