Panaji
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| पणजी/Ponnji | |
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| Country |  India |
| State | Goa |
| District(s) | North Goa |
| Mayor | Tony Rodrigues (since May 2006) |
| Population • Density |
65,000 (2001[update]) • 1,821 /km2 (4,716 /sq mi) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
36 km² (14 sq mi) • 7 m (23 ft) |
Coordinates: 15°29′N 73°50′E / 15.48°N 73.83°E Panaji 
pronunciation (help·info) (Konkani: पणजी/Ponnji, pronounced [pɔɳɟĩ]; Marathi: पणजी, [pɵɳɟiː]) is the capital of the Indian state of Goa. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi estuary, in the district of North Goa. With a population of 65,000 (a metropolitan population of 100,000 if suburbs are included), Panaji is Goa's third largest city after Vasco da Gama and Margao.
Panaji means “Land that never floods”. Panaji is the capital of Goa and headquarters of North Goa District, a small and charming city on the left bank of silvery Mandovi river, with beautiful, red-roofed houses, built in Latin style, also boasts of many modern houses, well laid gardens, statues and avenues lined with Gulmohar, Acassia and other trees. The church on the main square, the Baroque architecture, pretty villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings give Panaji a distinctly Portuguese ambience. The city lies along the left bank of the Mandovi River - piled up against terraced hills, a jumble of concrete buildings with whimsical balconies and red-tiled roofs, bleached clean churches and a riverside promenade that is just right for an evening stroll.
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[edit] Etymology
The current 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 town is Ponnjim in Konkanim and is called Ponnjê, when speaking in the locative, in Konkani, the widely spoken local language.
Earlier a small village on the river front, in 1843 the city had been renamed Nova Goa (Portuguese for New Goa) when it officially replaced the city of Goa (now Old Goa) as the administrative seat of Portuguese India, though the viceroy had already moved there in 1759.
[edit] Geography
Panaji is located at 15°29′N 73°50′E / 15.48°N 73.83°E[1]. It has an average elevation of 7 metres (23 feet).
[edit] History
When Operation Vijay ended Portuguese colonial rule, Panaji was incorporated with the rest of Goa and the former Portuguese colonies, into India in December 1961. Panaji became a state-capital on Goa's elevation to statehood in May 1987. Between 1961 and 1987, it was the capital of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. A new Legislative Assembly complex was inaugurated in March 2000, across the Mandovi river, in Alto Porvorim. Panaji is also the administrative headquarters of North Goa district.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census[2], Panaji had a population of 58,785. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Panaji has an average literacy rate of 81%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 77%. In Panaji, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Locations
State: Goa
Exact Location: Panaji, earlier called Panjim is a small city located in Goa.
District: North Goa.
Nearest Town: Old Goa and Mapusa.
[edit] Climate
| Climate chart for Panaji | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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0.2
32
20
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0.1
32
21
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1.2
32
23
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12
33
26
|
113
33
26
|
868
30
25
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995
29
24
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519
29
24
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252
30
24
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125
32
22
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31
33
22
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17
32
21
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| average temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm source: Indian Meteorological Department |
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Imperial conversion
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The climate in Panaji is hot in summer and equable in winter. During summers (from March to May) the temperature reaches up to 40°C and in winters (from December to February) it is usually between 32°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).
[edit] Landmarks
The heart of the city is the Church Square or Municipal Garden with the Portuguese Baroque Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, originally built in 1541. Other tourist attractions include the old and rebuilt Adilshahi Palace (or Idalcao palace), dating from the 16th century, the Menezes Braganza Institute and the Central Library, the Mahalaxmi Temple, the Jama Masjid mosque, the Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Fontainhas, area in general which is considered to be the Old Latin Quarter, as well as the nearby beach of Miramar. Hanuman Mandir at Mala on hill top (altinho)and its annual Jatra in the Month of February is major attraction of the Panaji.
The Carnival celebrations in February include a colourful parade on the streets. This is followed by the Shigmo/ xigmo, or Holi. Narkasur parade on privious night of Dipavali in the city is very colourful. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is one of the most famous churches in Goa.
Well-known places in Panaji are the 18th June Road (a busy thoroughfare in the heart of town and a shopping area for tourists and locals), Mala area, Miramar beach and the Kala Academy cultural centre known for its structure built by the famous architect Charles Correa. Kala Academy in Panaji is a place where Goa showcases its culture and art.
[edit] Other Attractions
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary: It is a well known bird sanctuary named after the world renowned orthinologist Dr Salim Ali. The sanctuary, located in Chorao, is a visual treat for the bird watchers. It plays host to an incredible number of rare and endangered bird species—both migratory and resident.
Miramar, Bambolim, Dona Paula Beach: Goa is famous for its beaches, and Miramar, Bambolim, Dona Paula are the three beaches located near Panaji. These are perfect places to let down your hair and relax and build sand castles or befriend the sea.
[edit] Education
Some prominent educational Institutes in Panaji are
- Goa Medical College
- Mushtifund High School
- Mushtifund Higher Secondary
- Mushtifund Primary
- Mushtifund School of Technical Education
- V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar
- Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, at Altinho.
- Dhempe College of Arts & Sciences, at Miramar.
- Sharada Mandir at Miramar
- Don Bosco High School.
- Mary Immaculate Girls High School at San Tome/Fontainhas.
- People's High School
- Goa College of Pharmacy
- Goa Polytechnic Panaji
- Goa College of Fine Arts
- Dr. Hedgewar High School
- Padmashree Vasantrao Dempo Higher Secondary School of Arts and Science, Miramar
- The Rosary High School Miramar
- Voicuntrao Sinai Dempo Higher Secondary School of Commerce Miramar
- Our lady of Rosary ( Green Rosary) Donapaula
- Taleigao Chess Academy devoted to promote chess as learning tool
Besides this, the only university in Goa the Goa University too is situated at Taleigao Plateau on the outskirts of Panaji.
[edit] Research centres
The prominent National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is situated at Dona-Paula, on the outskirts of Panaji city. They carry out research in various fields related to marine sciences.
[edit] Government Offices
The Goa Government as well as the Indian Government has its major offices in Goa.
- Passport Office, Panaji
- Junta House: It houses innumerable government offices.
- Industrial Development Corporation Goa
- Goa Education Development Corporation
- Sports Authority of Goa
- Bombay High Court - Goa bench
- Press Information Bureau (Government of India's Press Office)
- All India Radio, Altinho
- Doordarshan complex, Altinho
The Goa Assembly is situated at Alto Porvorim, some two kilometres away from Panaji. The hillock called Altinho houses some major central government offices and the residences of prominent officials and politicians.
[edit] Politics
The Member of Legislation (MLA) for Panaji is Manohar Parrikar of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who was also chief minister of Goa for around five years. On the outskirts of Panaji is the Taleigao constituency, represented by Atanasio "Babush" Monserrate.
The C.C.P. (Corporation of City of Panaji) administers the city and its chief is Carolina Pó. The Governor of Goa, Dr. S. S. Sidhu, stays at the Raj Bhavan (Cabo Raj Nivas), at Dona Paula around 9 kilometres from Panaji.
 Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church |
 Statue of Abbé Faria |
 The Inox Multiplex Theatre near the Panaji market |
 The renovated Goa Medical College Building next to the Inox theatre |
 The Panaji Circle under the Mandovi bridge. This links Panaji city to the road going to Ponda, Ribandar, Marcela and other places |
 The Miramar Beach |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Panaji
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved on 2008-11-01.
[edit] External links
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