The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, commonly known as Mount Mary is a Roman Catholic Church overlooking the beautiful Arabian Sea in Bandra.In the month of September the festival of the Virgin Mother culminates in a week long Bandra fair. The Mount Mary Festival or Bandra Fair truly represents the cosmopolitan nature of the city. People from all walks of life, irrespective of race and religion, age and gender gather for the occasion.
The Mount Mary Festival is said to be around 300 years old and is celebrated on the occasion of Mother Mary’s birthday every September.
The streets take on a carnival-like atmosphere, with shops and mini-bazaars offering everything from food, shopping opportunities and joyrides. Street plays, musical concerts, book readings and food festivals (typically Goan) also become a part of the celebrations.The Keralan halva, Maharashtrian chikki and UP pedha are sold like hot cakes!
Lined along the steps are shops selling a variety of items, candles and waxworks being the top-sellers. You must buy a wax figure in accordance with what you aspire for – cars, houses (for wealth) and the human body (for health).
Once you’re past the shopping, you must queue up and wait for your turn to get into the church premise.After completing the worship you come out at the other end of the church, which opens directly at the fair.
The home-grown Marathi people refer to Mother Mary as Math Mauli. They share a belief that Math Mauli has the power to grant wishes if the prayers are offered in all honesty and faithfulness. It is probably this belief, combined with sheer community spirit that results in the widespread popularity of the Bandra festival.