Annual Bandra Mount Mary Fest kicks-off from Sunday 10 -17 September
Annual Bandra Mount Mary Fest kicks-off from Sunday
10 -17 September
Mount Mary Festival 2023: History, Significance & All You Need To Know About The Bandra Fair In Mumbai |
Mount Mary Festival 2023: History, Significance & All You Need To Know About The Bandra Fair In Mumbai |
Mount Mary Festival is annually held on a Sunday to perpetuate the memory of ‘Mother Mary, also known as ‘Bandra Fair’ is held at the ‘Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount’ in Bandra, Mumbai.
The festival is regarded as the birthday of the ‘Virgin Mary’. ‘Mount Mary Fair’, this year will be held from September 10 to September 17.
The history of the church dates back to 1570 AD and believed that Portugal priests first constructed the chapel. They are credited with having transported the statuette here.
The statue was replaced with a statue of ‘Our Lady of Navigators’ in 1700 AD. The church was refurbished and rebuilt in 1761 AD.
The old statue however is still worshipped even after restoration. Hindus, Christians and Kolis residents from this region have their utmost faith in the idol and believe that their sincere prayers will definitely, be answered.
Mount Mary Church is regarded as one of the most holy places for Christians. Kolis of Bandra term this statue as ‘Moti Mauli’ in Marathi meaning ‘Pearl Mother’. Mother Mary holding little Jesus to her bosom is the centrepiece of this church in Bandra.
Mount Mary Festival has been hosted for more than 300 years and held within the Mount Mary Church complex and the lanes around the church. It is like a carnival with games, concerts and amusement rides.
In the midst of the estival, there are stalls that sell exotic delicacies of both Goan and Maharashtrian culture.
They also sell sweets, homemade cakes and fudges, chikki and many other edibles. In past years, as many as 430 stalls selling candles, flowers, food, toy and artificial jewellery are set up at the fair.
The Mount Mary Festival attracts a large number of people from all religions and communities.
News Edit K.V.Raman
