Mount Mary, Bandra
The celebration of the nativity of St. Mary, commonly known as Holy Marymas or the Bandra Fest, is celebrated here on September 8th. The fortunate birth of Jesus Christ’s virgin mother. Following the yearly feast, there is a week-long fair or fête known as the “Bandra fair” in the northern Konkan. Each year, lakhs of visitors, pilgrims, and devotees attend the fair. Many visitors come to Mount St. Mary Church to fulfill their mannat (wish).
On October 21, 1954, Pope Pius XII issued a decree of canonical coronation for the shrine’s revered Marian icon, which was signed and notarized by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini of the Sacred Congregation of Rites. The late Cardinal Valerian Gracias crowned the statue of the Madonna and the Prince of Peace during a ceremony on December 5, 1954.
The Basilica
The basilica is located on a hillside about 80 meters above sea level, overlooking the Arabian Sea. It attracts thousands of devotees and pilgrims each year, particularly during the Bandra Festival. Many visitors testified to the miraculous power of St. Mary at Mount Bandra. People of many faiths visit the shrine to ask for favors, while others return to express their appreciation.
During the Bandra Fair, the entire region is covered in festoons and buntings. Many vendors set up stalls to sell religious items, flowers, refreshments, and sweets. Kiosks sell wax statues of the Virgin Mary as well as candles shaped like hands, feet, and other body parts. The sick and afflicted select a candle or wax figure that matches their illness or wish and light it inside the Mount Mary Church, hoping that Mother Mary will hear their pleas for assistance.
Although the shrine’s current structure and edifice are only 100 years old, having been rebuilt in British Bombay, the history of the current statue of Blessed Mary dates back to the 16th century, when Jesuit priests brought the statue and built a chapel on Mount Bandra, then part of the Portuguese East Indies. Arab pirates storming the area in 1700 were attracted to the gilt-lined object held in the hand and hacked off the statue’s right hand.
The church was restored in 1760 following the Mahratta Invasion of Goa and Bombay, and the statue was replaced with one of Our Lady of Navigators from adjacent St Andrew’s Church. According to legend, a Koli Christian fisherman had a dream about the statue floating in the water, and as predicted, the statue was discovered floating in the sea the following day. This assertion is supported by a Jesuit yearly letter dated 1669 that was included in the book St Andrew’s Church, Bandra (1616-1966). The monument is referred to as Mot Maoli by Koli fishermen; mot could be a corruption of the Indo-Portuguese term monte for “mount,” while maoli is a Marathi-Konkani word for “mother.” The original statue has been refurbished and is now housed in a prominent location within the basilica. This shrine is frequently visited by Bombay East Indians and Hindus, making it a popular symbol of intercommunal cooperation and interfaith engagement in Mumbai.
Concluding
Living Close to Mount Mary, Bandra: A Rare Privilege
Mount Mary Bandra West is more than just a worship site; it is also one of the most upmarket and serene areas of Mumbai. Due to its peaceful surroundings, sea views, rich history, and rich culture, this location is one of a kind.
This popular church is located near Rustomjee Cliff, a well-designed residential area that offers modern living with the classic essence of Bandra.
If you are living around Mount Mary Church, you get to:
Live around one of the most popular historical sites in Mumbai
A quiet and elevated spot with a sea breeze
A spot rich in culture and history
Easy access to the best of Bandra
Residents of Rustomjee Cliff can enjoy the peacefulness of Mount Mary Bandra while also having access to modern living.
