Mount Mary Church, Mumbai (Timings & History)

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Located on a small hillock at about 80 metres above the sea level in Bandra, the queen of suburbs, Mount Mary Church is the most beautiful church in Mumbai. The view from the church is extremely beautiful too, as one can see the Arabian sea from here and the Mumbai skyline from the backyard.

The church which is also called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, dedicated to Virgin Mary, is a Roman Catholic church and has stood erect for over 100 years. The church is open to people from all faiths and is a must visit location for everyone coming to Mumbai.

The local Marathi Christians call Mount Mary Basilica by the name Maulicha Dongar, which translates into ‘Hill of the Mother’ in Marathi language and the shrine of Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus is called Pearl Mother or ‘Moti Mauli’ where ‘Moti’ means Pearl and ‘Mauli’ translates to Mother.

The current structure of the basilica is 100 years old however, the original chapel had existed since the 16th century and the original statue of the Virgin Mary was shipped in from Portugal by a Jesuit priest.

Along with the main door of Colaba’s Holy Name Church, the door of Mount Mary Church has been declared as ‘Holy Doors of Mercy’ by Pope Francis in 2016.

History of Mount Mary Church Mumbai

The history of Mount Mary Church dates back to the sixteenth century when a Jesuit Priest wanted to construct an oratory devoted to the Virgin Mary. This was done around 1570, when the very first structure of the oratory was built out of mud on a hillock in Bandra, that overlooked the Arabian Sea.

The oratory was placed under the authority of the then Parish of Santa Ana under Father Joao Diaz SJ., who was then the priest-in-charge of Bandra. The statue of Mother God which was placed on the altar of the oratory was made of wood and was shipped in from Portugal by the Jesuit Priests.

The chapel was rebuilt twice, once in 1640, when the original oratory was transformed into a chapel and a second time in 1761 after it was raided by Marathas. The enhancement of the oratory into the chapel in 1640 was due to the increase in the number of devotees as well as due to the placement of Portuguese garrison being in the Bandra Fort at Lands End.

Around the 1700s, the chapel was ransacked by a group of Muscat Arab pirates with the intention to rob it for any hidden treasure. Since there was a gilt-lined object in the hand of the statue, they cut off the right hand of the statue and completely destroyed the chapel. However, their effort to burn down the chapel out of frustration turned futile when they were attacked by a huge swarm of bees and had to flee.

The broken statue of the Our Lady of Mount was put away in the lumber room of the chapel and was replaced by the statue of Our Lady of Navigators brought in from the side altar of St. Andrew’s Church nearby. There is a separate legend associated with the statue of Our Lady of Navigators and its discovery.

Legend has it that a Koli fisherman once dreamt about the statue of Mother in the sea bed and the statue was found floating in the sea in reality. It is recorded in the book named St. Andrew’s Church, Bandra (1616- 1966) which supports the legend. This information, apparently was taken from a Jesuit annual letter written around 1669.

After the church was rebuilt in 1761, the old broken statue of Our Lady of the Mount was brought back to the altar after fixing it. A small detachable statue of Baby Jesus was moulded in at the place where the statue’s hand was cut off. At present, it is the same statue that’s worshipped at the basilica.

Architecture of Mount Mary Church Mumbai

The construction of the present semi- gothic structure of the basilica was started in May 1902. The façade of the impressive four storey structure is around 65 feet broad with deep-rock-rooted foundations that are very strong thereby, being supported by strong buttresses.

The intricacies of the gothic architecture are simply stunning with impressive craftsmanship. The front towers with pyramidal spires are 98 feet high with foundations totalling to around 18 feet including the length and breadth. Each spire is mounted with a cross and this talks much about the magnificent architecture.

The main entrance of the basilica has a huge door with windows on either side and gothic stone arch crowning the wooden door to protect it from the rain during monsoon. There is an arch above the main portal that also has an emblem of basilica with A. M inscribed on it. A. M is the initial letters of the Latin greeting, Ave Maria, which is also a prayer to the Virgin Mary.

The walls of the basilica are covered in beautiful fibreglass murals that depict stories from the life of Mary. Whereas the central nave is made out of stone with dimensions measuring 67 feet in length and 38 feet broad, the 42 feet high ceiling is made of teakwood which is protected by a roof that is made of Mangalore tiles.

There is a four feet high marble pulpit towards the high altar with different liturgical symbols engraved on the outer side of the pulpit along with two tablets that have the 10 commandments carved on them.

The sanctum sanctorum is a white marble seven step high altar, above which, stands the statue of the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus. There is a marble plaque with a carving representing ‘The last Supper’ embedded at the lower level of the high altar.

Image Gallery of Mount Mary Church Mumbai

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Entry Fee and Timings of Mount Mary Church Mumbai

Visit Timings:
Mount Mary Church is open from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and then from 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, it is open from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM.

Mass and Prayer Timings:
Weekday Mass – 6:30 AM and 7:15 AM (No evening mass)
Sunday Mass – 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM (No evening mass)
Sunday Prayers for those with special needs – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Evening Mass/Service Timings:
First Fridays – 6:00 PM (Holy Hour Service)
First Saturdays – 6:00 PM (Devotion prayer to Our Lady of Fatima Service)

Entry Fee:
There is no entry fee for Mount Mary Church/Basilica Mumbai

Best time to visit Mount Mary Church Mumbai

September is the best time to visit because that’s when the Mount Mary Fair is held. The environment and energy during the fair are contagious and leaves devotees in awe.

However, Mount Mary Church can be visited all year round.

Bandra Fair at Mount Mary Church Mumbai

The Mount Mary Church is most famous for the annual fair which is organized by the church committee in Bandra. The fair is commonly called ‘Bandra Fair’ by the locals and sees large numbers of visitors and pilgrims throng the streets of Bandra during the week long carnival like celebration.

The fair is celebrated as post birthday celebrations of Virgin Mary and usually starts on the first Sunday after 8th September. Please note that the birthday of Virgin Mary is on 8th September and there is a feast arranged on this day. The feast on Mother’s birthday is called ‘Feast of Nativity’.

The 8- day long carnival has stalls for shopping and, eating, amusement rides along with street events being organized inside the church complex as well as the lanes surrounding the Basilica. There are rides and concerts held too.

Nine days preceding the fair dates, the Basilica performs ‘Novena’ (nine-days prayer) for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Christmas Celebrations at Mount Mary Church Mumbai

Bandra comes live with all the glitter of the church, which is whitewashed in festive lights. Christmas at Mount Mary Church is welcomed almost a week before with pre-Christmas decorations, masses and also special mass preps at the Basilica.

Mount Mary Basilica is most famous for its services on the eve of Christmas and is visited by several from all over the city for attending the midnight mass. The Christmas service starts with carol singing at the Basilica from 10:00 PM and lasts for a good 45 minutes followed by the Solemn Christmas Mass. The Basilica closes at 12:00 midnight soon after the mass is concluded.

There are only day masses held on Christmas day at the Church and the timings usually remain the same every year, i.e., 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM. Candles are lit in front of the cross on the road outside the Church.

Places to Visit near Mount Mary Church Mumbai

Bandra Fort, Bandra Bandstand, Jogger’s Park, Father Agnel’s Church, Bandra Hill Road (Street shopping), Bandra Linking Road (Flea Market/Street Shopping), Bandra Worli Sea Link and Siddhivinayak Temple can be visited on your trip to Mount Mary Church.

How to Reach Mount Mary Church Mumbai

Mount Mary Church is accessible from all parts of the city and can be reached either by local train, buses, or taxis. One can also rent a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai to reach the church.

Nearest Railway Station to Mount Mary Church Mumbai – Bandra local railway station is the nearest rail -head one needs to get down to reach the church. Hire an auto rickshaw from the station.

Nearest Bus Depot to Mount Mary Church Mumbai – Bandra Bus Depot is the nearest bus depot. From here, one can board any bus that goes to Lands End and get down at Mount Mary steps. The church is located at a 2-minute away from the bus stop.

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Location Map for Mount Mary Church Mumbai