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Panaji 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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.