Mount Mary Church

About:

Mount Mary Church is a Roman Catholic Church, also known by the name of 'The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount'. It is located in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and dates back to the year 1640. One of the most popular churches of Bombay, it is visited by people of all religions. Perched on op of a hillock, Mt Mary Church stands at an altitude of approximately 80 m above sea level and overlooks the Arabian Sea.

The church is the pride and hallmark of the former city of Bombay and holds a special place in the hearts of the residents. The Marathi community refers to the Mother Mary as Math Mauli and pays due homage to her. The main attraction of the church is the Bandra Fair, which is celebrated in the month of September. The week long festival is a fun filled extravaganza, wherein the church as well as its surroundings is embellished with beautiful decorations. Thousands of people visit the church on this occasion.

During the Bandra Fair, the entire area is decorated with festoons and buntings. Many pitch up stalls selling religious objects, roasted grams and sweet items. Stalls sell sticky sweets and wax idols of the Virgin along with an assortment of candles shaped like hands, feet and various other parts of the body. The sick and suffering choose one that corresponds to their ailment and light it in Church, with the pious hope that Mother Mary will consider their appeals for help.

The locale of Mt. Mary Church is just as picturesque as it's sacred. One can watch the sunset and calmness that engulfs Arabian Sea from this place. With devotees flocking Mt. Mary Church all round the year, it has gained a special place of faith among the hearts of people from all sects and religion. People strongly believe that Mount Mary fulfils their genuine wishes if prayers are made earnestly and faithfully.

Location info:

Address:Bandra West, Mumbai
District: Mumbai
Nearest City: Mumbai
Best time to visit: September

Climate/Weather:

Minimum: 25°C, Maximum: 35°C

History:

Though the current church edifice is just 100 years old, the history behind the current statue of Our Lady goes back to the 16th century when J esuit priests from Portugal brought the statue to the current location and constructed a chapel. In 1700 Arab pirates interested in the gilt-lined object held in the hand disfigured the statue by cutting off the right hand.

In 1760, the church was rebuilt and the statue was substituted with a statue of Our Lady of Navigators in St. Andrew's church nearby. This statue has an interesting legend. It goes that a Koli fisherman dreamt that he would find a statue in the sea. The statue was found floating in the sea between 1700 and 1760. A Jesuit Annual Letter dated to 1669 and published in the book.

In 1700, the Arab pirates disfigured the statue to obtain a gold lined object in her hand. The church was rebuilt and the statue was replaced with the statue of Our Lady of Navigators, of St. Andrew's church, in 1760. According to a letter published in the book 'St. Andrew's Church', Bandra (1616-1966), a Koli fisherman, dreamt that he would find a statue in the sea. Later, he actually found this statue floating in the sea. However, in 1761, the original statue was renovated with a child in her arms and is worshiped here ever since.

Interesting things to do:

The Mount Mary church has religious significance for the strong Christian community in Mumbai. The Church also has Historical significance,

Interesting things to Visit:

Bandra Fair:
Every year, on the Sunday following the 8th of September, the 'Feast of Mount Mary', is held at the Mt Mary Church. 8th September is the birthday of Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus. The celebration of the feast lasts for a period of seven days and is termed as the Bandra Fair. During the time of fair, thousands of devotes visit the fair, seeking the blessing of the Holy Mother. It is the time of celebration, of festivity, the time when the church is beautifully decorated.

In the fair, a large number of stalls come up, which sell numerous religious objects, along with roasted grams and sweet items. Then, there are other stalls that sell wax idols of the Virgin Mary and sticky Goan sweets. You can also find a beautiful collection of candles there, of different shapes like hands, feet and other parts of the body. The sick people buy candle of the shape of their ailing part and light it in the church, in the hope that the Holy Mother will cure them.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Bandra station
Nearest Airport:Mumbai
Road Transport:As this church is located in Bandra West, Hill Road, a person Need to take Bus starting from Station till destination, Or Auto/Rickshaw

Nearest Visiting places:

Victoria and Albert Museum:
This Victoria and Albert museum, Mumbai was built due to the idea of Dr. Buist , in the year 1884 when the whole country was under the rule of East India Company. Dr. Buist was a collector. His Idea flourished and gave birth to various other museums like the Central Museum

Sewri Fort:
The Sewri Fort ia Up to the eighteenth century, Mumbai consisted of several small islands. In 1661, seven of these islands were ceded by the Portuguese to the British as part of the dowry of Charles II of England. The harbour proved eminently apposite, and the British planned to shift base from Surat to Mumbai. The Siddis, who were of African descent and noted for their navies, had allied themselves with the Mughals. The British, under the East India Company and the Mughals were constantly waged war on each other. As allies of the Mughals, the Siddis also declared the British as enemies.

Horniman Circle Gardens:
Horniman Circle Gardens in Mumbai is a mega park in the Fort District of South Mumbai. Encompassing an area of 10.101 sq meters, the Horniman Circle Gardens is surrounded by premier banks.Primarily known as Bombay Greens in the 18th Century, Horniman Circle Gardens was meant to be an open space in the middle of the Walled city. With well laid out walkways, the Bombay Greens had trees planted all around.

Later the whole complex was renamed as Elphinstone Circle after the then Governor, Lord Elphinstone.In the late 19th Century the condition of the park became atrocious and appeared as the dumping ground for the debris. However, the then Police Commissioner Charles Forjett resurrected the circle with active support from governors Lord Mountstuart Elphinstone and Sir Bartle Frère. By 1872, the Garden gained a new and captivating look. It was renamed after India's Independence in 1947 into Horniman Circle Gardens, after Benjamin Horniman, a pro-freedom editor of the Bombay Chronicle.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

S V Rd Petrol Pump: Bandra West suburban, Maharashtra
Scc Petrolium P Ltd: Merchant Chambers, Bandra (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Taj Lands End Hotel Mumbai:Bandra West, Mumbai, Mumbai suburban, Maharashtra
Hotel Rang Sharda:Mumbai suburban, Maharashtra
Hotel Metro Palace Pvt Ltd: Bandra West, Mumbai

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Leelavati Hospital Bandra Reclamation Mumbai, Maharastra
Kb Bhabha Hospital Bandra (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra
Society/Community Phone Number