The Mount Mary Fair 2020 – And My Past Nostalgic Memories
Mount Mary Fair – One of the popular landmarks in Bandra is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, more commonly known as The Mount Mary Church. This is the century-old Roman Catholic Basilica located in Bandra West, Mumbai. The area around the Church is situated on a hillock that is named the Mount of Mary. It is beautifully located in the midst of trees, shelter homes with a sea-facing view atop the hill.
No doubt it’s a famous landmark for pilgrimage and also attracts tourists from India and the world over. During September the church celebrates the feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary in a grand way. There is no written evidence of the birth of Mother Mary, however, September 8 is celebrated as her birthday world over.
The Week Long Celebrations
The celebrations of festivities and offerings that follow, lasts for a week. The Queen of the Suburbs totally comes alive during these eight days as the areas around the Mount are lined with festive lights, music, stalls and shops. These include amongst others, traditional Christian sweets, snacks, artifacts, and religious relics. Games and rides for kids provide entertainment for the entire family.
Devotees from all over throng to the good old Bandra to first get a glimpse of their favourite Virgin Mother Mary adorned in refinery and flowers. Special busses are arranged from Bandra Station to carry the devotees to and fro. Volunteers help ease pedestrian and vehicular traffic. It is commonly believed that when you pray with fervor and devotion, your wishes do come true here. People even offer colourful wax candles and models of houses and babies etc, in symbolic prayer. The first glimpse of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus is breathtakingly beautiful evoking intense emotions.
The Bandra Fair Memories
As a child, I was told that when you light a candle at The Basilica during this week of festivities then your wish will definitely be granted. I vividly remember going to The Bandra Fair each year with my Dad and sister. It was a ritual we always looked forward to and was never missed.
Standing in those long queues to offer flowers and candles did not deter us, because we were all so excited to take that turn towards the fair but after our offerings were done. Sometimes we had cousins and neighbours who accompanied us to add to the fun and frolic. The aroma of roasted gram and soap bubbles filled the air.
Dad would give us Rs 50 each to spend. The amount was good enough to get us rides in the Giant wheel and also take home some eats and religious artifacts. Licking on Iced Candy and super sweet Cotton candy floss gave us our dosage of a Sugar rush. Dad would take us to a Photo Stall to click a group photo as a remembrance of the visit. We would either pose against the painted Taj Mahal wall or pose driving a cardboard car. The photographer went under a black curtain to click the photo. It would take an hour to develop or then Dad would pick it up the next day. He always marked the photograph with a date/year on the reverse.
This Years Mount Mary Bandra Fair 2020
However this year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic the celebrations are canceled. Keeping in mind the large social gatherings which will only add to the rising number of people getting infected through the Asymptomatic patients. But, one can still get a glimpse of the Church Mass conducted and telecasted online through the Mount Mary Basilica online broadcast and website. I visited the Church last week even though it was closed, just to feel the calm, sanctity, and peace of the environment and also to relive the happy memories of my childhood.
Let us all pray to Our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary and Baby Jesus to bring back our lives to normalcy and hopefully in the year 2021 we all can look forward to happier days again.
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Anahita Irani
A preschool teacher, social media influencer, lifestyle & food blogger. Added hobbies are travel, movies, and fashion, going for events, socializing, networking and making new friends.
33 Comments
Amar Singh
I have heard so much about this place but never had the chance to visit it unfortunately. Looks like the whole area comes to life during the week long celebration of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary . I wonder how the whole Covid situation will effect this years celebration. Hope I can visit it one day. Thanks for sharing
Neha Jain
Wow that is awesome I have move to Mumbai and I would love to to explore this place soon after everything gets back to normal… This looks really nice festival to attend
Dr. Rahat Sayyad
I am an alumni of mount mary’s convent, bandra. Being a true bandraite, these pics took me down the memory lane. Lovely article.
Anahita Irani
Hey, there neighbor. thanks for your kind words
Anahita Irani
You will love the church for sure Amar and I do live in the same area.
Alpana Deo
“Let us all pray to Our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary and Baby Jesus to bring back our lives to normalcy and hopefully in the year 2021 we all can look forward to happier days again”.Amen.. Your post made me nostalgic. Few places bring us back many memories and we just want to be in that moment.
Surbhi prapanna
I had visited Mumbai few times but never get a chance to visit this place. After reading your post feeling curious to visit this. looking like a great place to have some fun time with friends and family.
SwatiMathur
Would love to see glimpse of the Church Mass telecasted online through the Mount Mary Basilica online broadcast and website..Being to Mumbai but missed seeing this.. Thanks for sharing
Anahita Irani
I did get a glimpse of the Mass. Thought I would just drop you a line.
Cindy Dsilva
Oh I used to love going for the Bandra fair though I went there only thrice when I was in Bombay during the gulf war. After that it was never the same. I love kadiobodio.
Ruchi Verma
I heard a lot but still have to visit the Mount Mary Fair…This year it’s different but surely next year!! You have so great memories attached!!
Milan Singhal
I loved reading your memories about this holy place. The pics so beautifully gives the glimpses of the church. Hope everything gets back to normal soon.
Anahita Irani
Yes, Hope things get to normal soon and this should not be the new normal
Deepika Mishra
I head about this place but never visited this. Pics are so beautiful and in this endemic situation we are missing our favourite places where we want to go and explore.
Hansa Kajaria
Though I’ve visited mount Mary but I’ve not been der for fest…. I wish to go der once during fest and enjoy it. Yes this years festivities are at such low key that we r missing all the fun n Mount Mary bandra fest is what everyone waits for.
Varsh
This post brought back my memories from visiting this fair few years ago. It was an amazing experience. I shopped so much and loved the energy of the place!
Judy Morris
I have never been to Mount Mary Church during this festival but surely want to be here someday. The vibes of this church are so different and so positive. I adore this part of Bombay. Praying for a much better 2021
MeenalSonal Mathur
All celebrations are taking turn in this pandemic, hopefully next year it will be celebrated with grand fervour. Will visit in my Mumbai visit for sure.
Dr Bushra
I’ve never been to Mumbai. The mount Mary fair and church memories sounds nostalgic. Would definitely love to visit this celebration whenever I’ve been there
Sayeri
This time will definitely pass soon and hopefully, in the year 2021 we will enjoy again altogether with friends and family.
Rajshree Sawant
This bring back so many memories, I would always go to the Bandra fair & Mount Mary Church after college and it was such a wonderful experience each time.
Dipika Singh
I have seen lot of images and coverage of this fest in local Mumbai newspapers always wanted to visit this place during the festivities seeing this post remind me of that promise to myself
Modern Gypsy
I’ve been to the church for Midnight Mass on Christmas a few times. It’s such a beautiful church and so festive at that time. I imagine the fair would be a very vibrant time too!
Geethica Mehra
Lovely memories refreshed while I read your feelings. I went back to the top and saw photos again to reconnect your story. Old memories do mark a space on your soul and refreshes as you talk about them.
A nostalgic post indeed.
Don
I have been to Bombay (yes, I am an old soul!), I have been to Bandra… but I haven’t had the chance to visit the Mount Mary Bandra Fair yet. Argh, if not for covid…
Pratibha
There must be something magical about these fairs! I used to love Badra, such a beautiful place with quaint homes. I should visit the fair sometime!
Poonam
Firstly, I love your name!
As for Bandra Fair, never visited but my first job was in Bandra and it was wondrous to see how the streets change during Bandra fair.
Anahita Irani
Thank you so much, dear. Happy Alexa to you.
PRB
I hadn’t heard about this fair till now. Churches are amazingly calm place to pray in peace, I love visiting churches, and maybe someday, when I visit Bombay again, will visit this as well. Thanks for writing 🙂
Anahita Irani
I love visiting churches for peace and a positive vibe. And this one is so close to my heart.
Trablogger
I have seen this church when I was in Mumbai. But after reading this post about the fair, it reminded me of a similar church that is close to my home. That church is also dedicated to Mother Mary and it has an annual fair. People go there irrespective of their religion and enjoy a great time. I don’t think this year the fair did happen due to obvious reasons. Thank you for bringing some nostalgic memories back.
Nils
I have been in Mumbai for 6 years but could never get the time to visit this. Have heard a lot but your post has made me excited m. I plan to go when it will be held again. Thanks for such a detailed post.
Ramya DRozario
What a lovely post! It reminded me of the christmas fetes in my school. I miss those days. And I’m yet to visit this very famous church in Mumbai. Hopefully, next time I’m in the city, I’ll be able to fulfil my wish. 🙂