Ponda taluka

Ponda taluka is a subdivision of the district of North Goa, Goa state, India. Its administrative headquarters is the township of Ponda. 
Location.
It is situated in central part of Goa. It hosts many educational institutes and manufacturing industries. The Belgaum-Panjim highway passes through this taluka.
Ponda lies in the centre of Goa. It lies in the North Goa district. Ponda taluka is known as the home for many prominent temples in Goa. The name of the "taluka" (sub-district) is the same as the main town or city, which is also Ponda.
"Antruz Mahal".
Ponda has also been known as "Antruz Mahal", which the official NIC site says is "because of the concentration of culture, music, drama and poetry also houses the temples of Lord Mangesh (Shiva), Lord Nagesh, Lord Ganapati, Lord Ramnath and the Goddesses Mhalasa and Shantdurga" It has been called the "Hindu heart of Goa".
Temples, a mosque.
Ponda is famous for five important temples (including Shri Mangues and Shri Mahalsa, lying between Mardol and Priol villages) situated around the town of Ponda and within the taluka, the largest mosque in Goa. Ponda is an important transport hub.
Capital.
The capital of this "subdistrict" of Ponda, also called Ponda (town or city), lies 28 km south east of the state-capital Panaji or Panjim. It is some 17 km north-east of Margao.
History.
In 1791, Ponda was taken over by the Portuguese, then ruling Goa, from the Raja of Sonda. It was annexed to what was then Goa along with the sub-districts of Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem. Its main town was built up during Portuguese rule, first as a administrative and court centre, and later a commercial centre.
Part of Quela.
Ponda town was earlier part of Quela village. Lying along the Panjim-Margao inland highway the avoids the Mandovi river, it is also a link between Goa and neighbouring Karnataka state, via the Ponda-Belgaum highway (NH4A).
Ponda today.
Goa College of Engineering is located in Farmaguddi village, in Ponda "taluka", on the outskirts of Ponda town. Ponda taluka serves as the gateway to Goa's wildlife sanctuaries -- Bondla and the Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.