Pernem

State

Pernem is a city and a municipal council in North Goa district in the Indian state of Goa.
Pernem is a northmost administrative region or Taluka in North Goa. It is also the name of the town of Pernem, which is its headquarters. It has a Municipal Council. Geographically, Pernem is surrounded by Bicholim taluka on East, Arabian Sea on West, Bardez taluka on south and Sawantwadi taluka (Maharashtra State) on north.

Pernem is the northernmost administrative region of Goa. Pernem belongs to the sub-region called Novas Conquistas, or New Conquests, a group of seven administrative districts of mainland Goa which were annexed to Goa at a comparatively later date. Before being merged into Goa, Pernem was a part of the territory of the Rajas of Sawantwadi, a state on Goa's northern border.

With regard to tourism, Pernem has a lot of catching up to do vis-à-vis other regions of North Goa. A predominantly Hindu locality, Pernem is home to prominent temples such as Shri Bhagavati and Shri Sapteshwar Temples. The annual fair at the Shri Bhagavati Temple held on the occasion of Kojagiri poornima enjoys widespread popularity.

The Arambol beach and the nearby fishing village are prime tourist destinations because of their idyllic landscape. The beach offers the attractions of paragliding and dolphin spotting boat trips. The Terekhol fort located at the estuary of Terekhol river was a vital part of Portuguese defence against enemy forces.

History

Pernem is counted as belonging to one of the two Goan sub-regions, the Novas Conquistas, or New Conquests. It was taken over, lost and finally regained from the Rajas of Sawantwadi, a state on Goa's northern border that allied sometimes with the Portuguese and sometimes with the Marathas. (The Kingdom of Sawantwadi was integrated into the district of Ratnagiri after 1947 and is now part of the district of Sindhudurg). Later, it was largely belonged to Deshprabhu family as an estate. After Liberation of Goa by Indian Armed Forces from Portuguese, it became part of Union Territory of Goa.

Pernem is the Portuguese spelling (the m only makes the e nasal). The name in Konkani and Marathi is Pedne, and inhabitants are called Pednecar in Konkani and Pedneker in Marathi (giving the spoken forms). The surname Pednekar used by Konkanastha indicates origins in Pernem.

Accessibility

How to Reach Pernem by Road
Pernem is connected to the state capital Panaji by the National Highway 17. The NH 17 connects Goa to Mumbai. If you are planning to reach Pernem from the beaches of Anjuna, Vagator, or Chapora, you will have to travel a few kilometers inland to pick up the Main Calangute Road to the river crossing at Siolim.

How to Reach Pernem by Rail
The Pernem station lies on the Konkan railway network and is located at a distance of about 4 km east from the town. Pernem is the last station in Goa for trains leaving for Mumbai.

How to Reach Pernem by Air
Dabolim is the nearest airport to Pernem.

Shopping

As far as the shopping items are concerned, you will get the opportunity to choose from a wide range of artifacts and momentos. Artifacts made of shell work, bamboo work, brassware, curios and old coins, trinkets made of stones and corals, artifacts made of papier-mâché, carved furniture, and beachwear are some of the popular entries in shopping carts. While you bask in this shopping extravaganza, make it a thumb rule to bargain to your heart's content. In most cases, the quoted price is far higher than the actual price and use your persuasion and negotiation skills while bargaining with the feisty Goan vendors.