Panaji

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Panaji
Panjim
—  capital  —
Panaji is located in Goa
Panaji
Coordinates: 15°29′56″N 73°49′40″E / 15.49889°N 73.82778°E / 15.49889; 73.82778Coordinates: 15°29′56″N 73°49′40″E / 15.49889°N 73.82778°E / 15.49889; 73.82778
Country  India
State Goa
District North Goa
Government
 • Mayor Vaidhehi Naik
Area
 • Total 36 km2 (14 sq mi)
Elevation 7 m (23 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 65,000
 • Density 1,821/km2 (4,720/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Konkani
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 403 001
Telephone code 0832
Vehicle registration GA-01, GA-07
Website www.ccpgoa.com

Panaji /ˈpʌnədʒiː/ (Konkani: पणजी Panaje, pronounced [pɔɳɟĩ], [pɵɳɟiː] ( listen), Portuguese: Pangim, usually known in English as Panjim) is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of North Goa district. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi River estuary in Tiswadi taluka. With a population of 65,000 in the city and approximately 100,000 in the metropolitan area, Panaji is Goa's third largest city after Vasco da Gama and Margao.

Panaji means “land that never floods”.[inconsistent] It has terraced hills, concrete buildings with balconies and red-tiled roofs, churches, and a riverside promenade. There are avenues lined with gulmohar, acacia and other trees. The Baroque Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is located overlooking the main square known as Praça da Igreja. Pretty villas, cobbled streets and interesting buildings give Panaji a Portuguese ambience.

Contents

Etymology [edit]

The word Panaji is derived from the words panjani and khali, which mean a boat and a small creek respectively, in Sanskrit. Thus the modern word Panaji is a corrupt form of the old word Panjakhali as inscribed on the copper-plates found, belonging to the rule of Kadamba king Tribhuvanamalla.[1]

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 city is called ponnjé in Konkani.

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.

Geography [edit]

Se Cathedral in Old Goa

Panaji is located at 15°29′56″N 73°49′40″E / 15.49889°N 73.82778°E / 15.49889; 73.82778.[2] It has an average elevation of 7 meters (23 feet). Panaji has various vāde or sub-divisions, some of which are São Tomé, Fontainhas, Mala, Portais, Altinho, Cortin, Praça da Igreja, Tar (near the ferry wharf), Bāzār, Japão (near Don Bosco), and Boca de Vaca. Some areas outlying it are Cāmpāl, Santa Inez, Chinchollem, Batulem, and Pātto. Besides lying on the banks of the Mandovi River, Panaji is bounded by two creeks, locally called pői in the singular, namely Ourém and Santa Inêz.

History [edit]

Panaji was annexed by India with the rest of Goa and the former Portuguese territories in the invasion of 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.

Demographics [edit]

As of the 2001 India census,[3] 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.

Climate [edit]

Panaji features a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am). The climate in Panaji is hot in summer and equable in winter. During summers (from March to May) the temperature reaches up to 32 °C and in winters (from December to February) it is usually between 28 °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).

Climate data for Panaji
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.0
(96.8)		 37.8
(100)		 38.8
(101.8)		 39.6
(103.3)		 37.4
(99.3)		 35.4
(95.7)		 31.9
(89.4)		 31.2
(88.2)		 34.2
(93.6)		 36.3
(97.3)		 37.0
(98.6)		 35.4
(95.7)		 39.6
(103.3)
Average high °C (°F) 31.6
(88.9)		 31.5
(88.7)		 32.0
(89.6)		 33.0
(91.4)		 33.0
(91.4)		 30.3
(86.5)		 28.9
(84)		 28.8
(83.8)		 29.5
(85.1)		 31.6
(88.9)		 32.8
(91)		 32.4
(90.3)		 31.28
(88.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.0
(78.8)		 26.3
(79.3)		 27.7
(81.9)		 29.3
(84.7)		 30.0
(86)		 27.6
(81.7)		 26.7
(80.1)		 26.4
(79.5)		 26.9
(80.4)		 27.9
(82.2)		 27.6
(81.7)		 26.9
(80.4)		 27.44
(81.39)
Average low °C (°F) 19.6
(67.3)		 20.5
(68.9)		 23.2
(73.8)		 25.6
(78.1)		 26.3
(79.3)		 24.7
(76.5)		 24.1
(75.4)		 24.0
(75.2)		 23.8
(74.8)		 23.8
(74.8)		 22.3
(72.1)		 20.6
(69.1)		 23.21
(73.78)
Record low °C (°F) 15.7
(60.3)		 16.8
(62.2)		 17.3
(63.1)		 21.2
(70.2)		 21.3
(70.3)		 21.0
(69.8)		 21.4
(70.5)		 21.5
(70.7)		 21.4
(70.5)		 20.0
(68)		 17.0
(62.6)		 15.5
(59.9)		 15.5
(59.9)
Precipitation mm (inches) 0.2
(0.008)		 0.1
(0.004)		 1.2
(0.047)		 11.8
(0.465)		 112.7
(4.437)		 868.2
(34.181)		 994.8
(39.165)		 518.7
(20.421)		 251.9
(9.917)		 124.8
(4.913)		 30.9
(1.217)		 16.7
(0.657)		 2,932
(115.432)
Avg. rainy days 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.6 3.8 24.0 28.2 27.2 14.9 6.6 3.5 0.3 109.3
 % humidity 67 69 71 71 71 85 88 89 86 80 70 64 75.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 311.8 290.2 291.0 289.0 296.5 125.1 105.7 122.1 177.1 247.7 272.6 299.3 2,828.1
Source #1: wunderground.com[4]
Source #2: NOAA (1971-1990) [5]

Landmarks [edit]

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church

The heart of the city is the Praça da Igreja (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 Idalçao Palace), dating from the sixteenth century, the Menezes Braganza Institute, the Mahalaxmi Temple, the Jama Masjid mosque, the Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Fontainhas area—which is considered to be the old Latin Quarter—as well as the nearby beach of Miramar. Hanuman Mandir at Malā on the hill top (Altinho) and its annual zatrā in February are a major attraction of Panaji. Panaji hosted the relics of Saint John Bosco (also known as Don Bosco) till 21 August 2011 at the Don Bosco Oratory.

The Carnival celebrations in February include a colourful parade on the streets. This is followed by the Shigmo/xigmo, or Holi. The Narkāsūr parade on the night before Diwali in the city is very colourful.

Well-known places in Panaji are the 18th June Road (a busy thoroughfare in the heart of the town and a shopping area for tourists and locals), Mala area, Miramar beach and the Kala Academy (a cultural centre known for its structure built by architect Charles Correa). Kala Academy is a place where Goa showcases its art and culture.

Other attractions [edit]

Inside the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Dona Paula

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary named after the ornithologist Dr Salim Ali. The sanctuary, located in the village of Chorão, near Panaji, plays host to rare and endangered bird species—both migratory and resident.

Goa is famous for its beaches, and Miramar, Bambolim, and Dona Paula are three popular beaches located near Panaji.

Dona Paula is the meeting point for two of Goa’s famous rivers, Zuari and Mandovi. These two rivers meet at the 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 is one of the more crowded beaches in Goa, which remains full with local and international tourists throughout the year.

Also located near Panaji, is the Goa Science Centre which was opened to the public in December 2001.

Education [edit]

The renovated building of Goa Medical College

Some educational institutes in Panaji are:

  • V. M. Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar
  • The Progress High School
  • Goa Medical College, Bambolim
  • Santa Cruz High School, Santa Cruz
  • Don Bosco High School
  • Goa Institute of Management
  • Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, Altinho
  • Dhempe College of Arts and Sciences, Miramar
  • Sharada Mandir, Miramar
  • Mary Immaculate Girls High School, São Tomé/Fontainhas
  • Peoples High School, Mala
  • Mushtifund Saunstha
  • 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), Dona Paula
  • Taleigao Chess Academy

Besides this, the only university in Goa, the Goa University, is situated at Taleigao on the outskirts of Panaji.

Research centres [edit]

The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is situated at Dona Paula, on the outskirts of Panaji city. It does research in fields related to marine sciences.

Transport [edit]

Panaji Circle under the Mandovi bridge links Panaji city to the road going to Ponda, Ribandar and Marcela

The nearest airport is Dabolim Airport which is 30 km away.[6]

Government offices [edit]

The Goan government, as well as the Indian government, has its major offices in Goa.

  • Passport Office, Panaji
  • Junta House - houses government offices

The Goa Legislative Assembly is situated at Alto Porvorim, about two kilometers away from Panaji. The hillock called Altinho houses some major central government offices and the residences of prominent officials and politicians.

Politics [edit]

The Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Panaji is Manohar Parrikar of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who is also the incumbent Chief Minister of the state.

The C.C.P. (Corporation of City of Panaji) administers the city and its mayor is Vaidéhi Naik. The Governor of Goa stays at the Cabo Raj Bhavan at Dona Paula, about 8 km from Panaji.

Gallery [edit]

  • Statue of Abbé Faria

  • The Inox Multiplex Theatre near the Panaji market

  • Miramar Beach

  • Panaji Market Buildings

  • Villa Paradiso

  • Mandovi Bridge from the top of Ribandar

  • Hotel Mandovi area

  • Hotel Mandovi area

  • Hotel Mandovi area

  • General Post Office area

  • Panjim by night

  • Immaculate Conception Church at Panjim

  • Miramar circle

  • Bridge to Panjim

  • Government-run handicrafts complex (Apparent)

See also [edit]

Portal icon Goa portal

References [edit]

  1. ^ Title: Gazetteer of the Union Territory Goa, Daman and Diu: district gazetteer, Volume 1; Publisher: Gazetteer Dept., Govt. of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu, 1979 (Original from the University of Michigan, Digitised: 30 Aug 2008)
  2. ^ "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Panaji". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 2012-05-09. 
  3. ^ "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. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
  4. ^ "Historical Weather for Delhi, India". Weather Underground. Retrieved November 27, 2008. 
  5. ^ "Goa (Panjim) Climate Normals 1971-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 24, 2012. 
  6. ^ "Airports Authority of India". Aai.aero. 2011-09-21. Retrieved 2012-05-09. 

External links [edit]

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