The serene interior of the Basilica
While Bandra in Mumbai is one of the elitist area that is
likewise home to a portion of the greatest retailer brands and fine dine, it is
the place the devotees of Virgin Mary
gather to pray and seek blessings at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, all
the more normally known as Mount Mary Church. The most anticipated occasion
here is the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated on the first Sunday
after September 8.
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount remains on a small hill, around 80 meters above ocean level overlooking the Arabian Sea, and draws in individuals from all religions who petition Virgin Mary for expressing their gratitude or requesting favours. In any case, the one time that it truly becomes into prominence is during the Bandra Fair when devotees come here in thousands. This is the point at which the whole area gets brightened with trims and buntings. Numerous pitch up stalls for offering religious articles and savories. Wax figures of the Virgin Mary, alongside an arrangement of candles molded like hands, feet and different parts of the body are sold at stands.
Despite the fact that the present church building is only 100 years old, the history behind the present statue of Our Lady goes back to the 16th century when Jesuit priest from Portugal bought the statue to the present location and constructed a chapel. In 1700 Arab pirates interested in the gilt-lined object held in the hand distorted the statue by cutting off the right hand. In 1760, the church rebuilt and the statue was substituted with a statue of Our Lady of Navigators in St. Andrew's Church nearby area. This statue has an interesting legend. It goes that a Koli fisherman dream that he would find a statue in the ocean and it was actually found floating in the sea.
In 1879, H. Bomonjee Jeejibhoy constructed a flight of steps on the northern side of the hill. In 1882, a colonnade came to be added to the front of the building yet before the century's over it was determined that just another church would accommodate the growing numbers who made toward the hill to adore the Lady of the Mount each September. Shapoorji N. Chadabhoy, an architect, designed the new chapel. The style is neo-gothic and the new alter reflects the style. Seven stages in white marble crested by three niches lead the eye of the pilgrims or visitors to the Mother and child Jesus, the wooden statue now delegated and dazzling with a white and gold veil that flows down to the highest marble step. unlike most icons of Mother Mary this one has the child on the right arm. The paintings in the nave depict scenes from the life of Mary.
Address: Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, Bandra (West) - Mumbai, India
GETTING THERE...
By air
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, is the closest airport, the Basilica is situated approximately 12 Kms. from the international airport and about 8 Kms. from the domestic airport.
By road
The Basilica is accessible by road.
Local public road transport (BEST Bus, auto-rickshaws & taxis) to the shrine is easily available.
By rail
The closest railway station is the Bandra Station . It is approximately 2.5 Kms. away.
THE BANDRA FAIR
Bandra Fair-Feast of Our Lady of the Mount on 8th September, known as the Feast of the Nativity (Birth) of the Blessed Virgin Mary.It turns into an essential chronicled occasion, in light of the fact that with the introduction of Mary comes "the beginning of our salvation", since Mary's Son, Jesus, would be the Savior of the world. If Mary had not consented to be the Mother of God, to bear Jesus in Her womb there would have been no Redemption. Mary's answer of "yes" to the Angel at the Annunciation guaranteed humankind's deliverance from sin.