| Sandwiched between the Chapora and Arondem rivers, the predominantly Hindu Taluka of Pernem --in the Novas Conquistas area - is Goa's northernmost district and one of its least explored regions |
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| Deshprabhu House is the residence of the world's only Hindu Viscount the Visconde de Pernem. The Deshprabhu House is also known as Sitaram Vilas and the Viscount's Palace. It is Goa's grandest Hindu Mansion and is a well known monument in Pernem. The mansion was build to house the aristocratic family who fought to achieve independence Indian from Portugal in 1961. 14,000 soldiers with attendant cavalry, artillery and elephants also stayed in the mansion. Nowadays the family still reside here but it is a private residence and off limits to tourists. Deshprabhu House also contains a temple and a small museum. In the museum one can see photos of the first ever car imported in Goa during the 1920's by the Raja and photos of Deshprabhu past. |
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| The original Chapel in Pernem was built in 1852 and erected into a Parish on January 02, 1855. St. Joseph Church, Pernem was rebuilt in 1864. Fr. Camilo Simoes was appointed as the Parish Priest. The Parish was renovated in 2002. The Parish has 5 substations constituted of 11 Small Christian Communities. |
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| A Coastal Attraction |
| Apart from the fishing village of Arambol, which attracts a trickle of backpackers seeking a rustic alternative to the resorts south of the river Chapora, the beautiful Pernem coastline of long sandy beaches, lagoons and coconut plantations has few settlements equipped to cope with visitors. However, the picturesque, if bumpy, journey north from Arambol to Terekol fort, on the Maharashtrian border, provides ample incentive to spend a day away from the beach. |
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| Prime Attractions of Pernem |
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| Sri Bhagavati & Sri Sapteshwar Temples |
| Not far from Morjim are two temples namely, Bhagavati and Parshem and Sapteshwar Bhagamati at Mandrem in Pernem Taluka. |
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| The principal festival observed are the 7 days "Bhajanisaptah" at Mandrem, which is celebrated in Kartika. The Zatra, Dussehra and "Shimgo" are other festivals, which are attended by large crowds. Surrounding the main temples can be seen some exquisitely sculptured ancillary deities. |
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| Sri Chandeshwar |
| On way back from Zambaulim one can take a slight diversion at Paroda to proceed to the Chandranath hill and climb the huge granite steps to reach to the temple of Sri Chandreshwar. Though a major portion of the approach road to the temple is metalled, only a small portion before campus is provided with granite stone steps. |
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| The side altar is that of Sri Bhutnath. Chandranath formed a part of the Bhoja capital Chandrapur. The South Goa Bhojas worshipped the deity years before the Christian era till the middle of the 8th century AD. The temple has the famous Shiva Linga, which was supposed to ooze water with the touch of moonlight. |
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| The temple atop the hill has been designed in such a way, that moonlight directly falls on the Shiva Linga on the full moon night. One can have a birds' eye view of a long ending green valley of Salcete and Quepem Taluka from the Chandranath hill. |
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| Sri Morjee Temple |
| This is yet another temple situated at Morjim in Pernem Taluka, which is about 15-km from Mapusa. The temple complex is situated around sylvan surroundings. |
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| The main festival is "Kalash Utsava" which is celebrated every three, five, seven or nine years. Duration of the festival is nearly a month, beginning from "Phalgun Shudha Panchami". The concluding 7 days is a big cultural and religious affair when people not only from Goa, but also from Sindhudurga in Maharashtra and Karwar in Karnataka assemble in large numbers. Other festivals that are celebrated at this temple site are Gudi Padva, Dussehra, Zatra, "Divjam" and "Ghode Mundim". |
