About Raibandar

Ribandar is a town in Ilhas, Goa, located between the cities of Panjim (Nova Goa) and Old Goa (Velha Goa). The name Ribandar originates from "Rayachem Bandar" meaning the wharves, docks or portage of the Rayas or Kings. It is unclear which kings are meant here. Ribandar is located at 153010N 735155E and has an average elevation of 3 metres (9.8 ft).[1] It is separated from Panjim by the Rio de Ourm (River of Gold), whose junction with the Mandovi River here forms a large, wide, and marshy estuary. This estuary in traversed by an old causeway built in 1633 under the auspices of one of the viceroys of Portuguese India, the Count of Linhares, after whom it is named the Ponte Conde de Linhares. A new road to the south of Ponte Conde de Linhares provides one more link to Ribandar, Chimbel and Old Goa from Panjim. The islands of Choro and Divar lie to the north and north-east of Ribandar respectively. The ferry wharf at Ribandar is one of the major means of transportation to these two islands.