Mount Mary Church – A suburban surprise

More commonly known as Mount Mary Church, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in the suburbs of Bandra. Most people would know Mount Mary for its delightful fair, known as the Bandra Fair. Visited by thousands of people every year, the Bandra Fair takes place after the feast of Mother Mary that is celebrated after the birthday of the blessed Mary on September 8. The fair is believed to be about 300 years old and was started when the statue of Mother Mary was found floating in the Arabian Sea between 1700 and 1760. The beauty and grace of the shrine is beyond any words can describe with its tall spires and Gothic architecture. Not only this, but the church and the fair also attract people of all faiths from all over India.

The architecture
Years ago, the Mount Mary Church was just a simple shrine. Today, this semi-Gothic structure attracts devotees as well as lovers of art, history and heritage. The imposing façade of the Basilica is almost 68 ft broad and has four horizontal floors. The twin towers are a mighty 98 ft high and have bells that sound truly melodious when rung at the same time. Each corner of each pillar is adorned with stone pillars with Corinthian capitals. Such is the elegance of this church that it seems at the same time old-world and contemporary, with the perfect touch of mystery.

The Bandra Fair
Apart from being a religious affair, the Bandra Fair is more often than not celebrated as a time of fun and enjoyment. The Fair is filled with stalls that offer a range of games and relaxation, not to mention a whole lot of amazing food that people just love. Though the Bandra Fair had humble beginnings, it soon became what it is today, a place to meet and greet loved ones and spend some time playing games and gorging on yummy food!

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It is considered shocking if the locals of Mumbai haven’t ever been to the Bandra Fair or visited Mount Mary Church. Have you ever been to this wonderful suburban surprise?