Pernem
Bounded by the Chapora River to the south and Tiracol River to the north, Pernem is the northernmost subdivision of Goa that touches the Maharashtra border. It is situated 27 km from Panaji.
The Shri Bhagwati temple dedicated to Lord Shiva’s consort Parvati situated in the small provincial town of Pernem is a well-known monument here. Over a modern shrine, its deity a furious form of Parvati of jet black rock presides, and the entrance of the temple is flanked by a pair of colossal multicolored elephants.
The residence of the world’s only Hindu Viscount the Visconde de Pernem, the Deshprabhu House also known as Sitaram Vilas is the other well known monument here. Built to house the aristocratic family and 14,000 soldiers with attendant cavalry, artillery and elephants, this fort like mansion is unfortunately off – bound for tourists.
In Pernem one can also find a temple and a small museum where one can see photos of the first ever car imported in Goa during the 1920’s by the Raja and photos of Deshprabhu past.
