Panaji

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पणजी/Ponnji
पणजी/Ponnji Location of पणजी/Ponnji in Goa and India
Coordinates	15°29′N 73°50′E / 15.48°N 73.83°E / 15.48; 73.83
Country	India
State	Goa
District(s)	North Goa
Mayoress	Carolina Pó
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)
Codes • Pincode • 403 001 • Telephone • +0832 • UN/LOCODE • IN PAN • Vehicle • GA-01, GA-07

Panaji pronunciation (help·info) (Konkani: पणजी/Ponnji, pronounced [pɔɳɟĩ];[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 the Mandovi river, with red-roofed houses built in Latin style, also has 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 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.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 Geography 3 History 4 Demographics 5 Climate 6 Landmarks 7 Other attractions 8 Education 8.1 Research centres 9 Government offices 10 Politics 11 Gallery 12 See also 13 References 14 External links

[edit] Etymology

The 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 / 15.48; 73.83^[1]. It has an average elevation of 7 metres (23 feet).

[edit] History

When Operation Vijay ended Portuguese colonial rule, Panaji was incorporated into India with the rest of Goa and the former Portuguese colonies, in 1961. Panaji became a state-capital on Goa's elevation to statehood in 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] Climate

Panaji
Climate chart
J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.2   32 20     0.1   32 21     1.2   32 23     12   33 26     113   33 26     868   30 25     995   29 24     519   29 24     252   30 24     125   32 22     31   33 22     17   32 21 average max. and min. temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm source: Indian Meteorological Department
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0   89 67     0   89 69     0   90 74     0.5   91 78     4.4   91 79     34   87 76     39   84 75     20   84 75     9.9   85 75     4.9   89 72     1.2   91 72     0.7   90 69 average max. and min. temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches

Panaji features a tropical monsoon climate. 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 sixteenth 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 February is a 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. The Narkasur parade on previous night of Dipavali in the city is very colourful.

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 architect Charles Correa. Kala Academy in Panaji is a place where Goa showcases its culture and art.

[edit] Other attractions

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary named after the orthinologist Dr Salim Ali. The sanctuary, located in Chorao, plays host to 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 three popular beaches located near Panaji.

Also located in Panjim, is the Goa Science Center which was opened to the public in December 2001.

Dona Paula:

Dona Paula is the meeting point for two of the Goa’s famous rivers. These two rivers meet at Arabian Sea. The official residence of the Governor of Goa, Known as Cabo Raj Bhavan is situated on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula.

Miramar Beach:

This beach is located near to Panaji. This is one of the overcrowded beaches in Panaji, which remains full with local and international tourists throughout the year.

[edit] Education

Some prominent educational Institutes in Panaji are

• Goa Medical College
• Don Bosco High School.
• Goa Institute of Management.
• 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.
• Peoples High School at Mala
• Mushtifund High school.
• Goa College of Pharmacy
• Goa Polytechnic Panaji
• Goa College of Fine Arts
• Dr. Hedgewar High School
• The Rosary High School 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 National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is situated at Dona Paula, on the outskirts of Panaji city. They carry out research in 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 houses 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.

[edit] Gallery

Panjim Gallery

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	Panaji Circle under the Mandovi bridge links Panaji city to the road going to Ponda, Ribandar and Marcela	The Miramar Beach
Panjim Market Buildings	Villa Paradiso	Mandovi Bridge from the top Of Ribandar	Dona Paula Beach

[edit] See also

• Shanta Durga temple
• Dudhsagar Falls
• The Pool (film)
• The 1961 Armed Liberation of Goa

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Panaji

• Panaji travel guide from Wikitravel
• Government of Goa

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