Panaji in Goa

Panaji pronunciation (help·info) (Konkani: पणजी /pɵɳɟĩ/ ) 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 and Margao.

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, and is called Ponnje 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.

Climate

The climate in Panaji is hot in summers and pretty good 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 average rainfall and heavy winds.

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. The Carnival celebrations in February include a colourful parade on the streets. This is followed by the Shigmo, a local Hindu spring festival. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is one of the most famous churc hes 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 in Panaji (Goa)
Some prominent educational Institutes in Panaji are

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