Located in the South Goa district of Goa, India, Ponda is both a city and a municipal council. Ponda is situated in the heart of Goa, 17 km (10.6 miles) northeast of Margao, the district capital, and 28 km (17 miles) southeast of Panaji, the state capital.[1] Because of its many well-known temples and the rich cultural history of the region, Ponda is also known as “Antruz Mahal”.