Location Northern region of Goa; between the Chapora and Arondem rivers.
Best time to Visit November to March.
Pernem is predominantly a Hindu town. This small town comprises of a beautiful coastline with long sandy beaches, lagoons and coconut plantations. Being situated between the Chapora and Arondem rivers, Pernem enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year. Tourists mostly come here to visit the Hindu temples.
Konkani, Marathi, English, Portuguese and Hindi languages are spoken here, like in other parts of Goa. If you want to see beautiful Portuguese architecture in Pernem, you can go to the Terekol fort (a vital part of the Portuguese defence), located on the Maharashtran border. The beautiful Pernem coastline of long sandy beaches, lagoons and coconut plantations has few settlements spruced up for visitors.
AttractionsSri Bhagavati and Sri Sapteshwar Temples witness heavy crowd of devotees during the 7 days "Bhajanisaptah" at Mandrem, which is celebrated in the month of Kartika according to the Hindu calendar. Apart from this, Zatra, Dussehra and Shimgo are other festivals that are celebrated in these temples. Besides the main deities, there are some exquisitely sculptured ancillary deities.
Another enchanting religious destination is the Sri Chandeshwar Temple, which is located on Chandranath hill. Devoted to Lord Chandeshwar, the temple's side altar is that of Sri Bhutnath. The temple atop the hill has been designed in such a way, that moonlight directly falls on the Shiva Linga (situated in the premises) on full moon nights. The temple provides a wonderful bird’s eye view of a long never-ending green valley of Salcete and Quepem Taluka.
Sri Morjee Temple is also very popular among the devotees. The temple hosts "Kalash Utsava", which is celebrated every three, five, seven or nine years. This festival lasts for one whole month. Situated at Morjim in Pernem Taluka, about 15 Km from Mapusa, the temple also celebrates Dussehra, Gudi Padva, Zatra, Divjam and Ghode Mundim with full vigor and enthusiasm.
How to reachIf you travel from Anjuna, Vagator or Chapora beaches, you need to avail a boat for a few kilometres. As you reach the Main Calangute Road, you can switch to private buses. Local transport is quite smooth, but travelling from out of town can prove to be a little hectic. Boatmen sometimes paddle tourists over the estuary from Chapora too, although their dugouts are unstable when laden with passengers, and, they can't carry motorbikes.
Otherwise, you should reach Arambol beach first and then travel to Pernem by boat.
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