We are all going to the Bandra Fair
Devotees visit Mount Mary Church to thank Virgin Mary for favours
Come September, most Christian families are seen flocking to Bandra for the famous Bandra Fair which is held to commemorate the Nativity of Mother Mary. Loads of devotees make it a point to visit Mount Mary Church to thank Virgin Mary for the favours they have received and to seek added favours as well.
There are lots of wax offerings in the form of dolls, cars, houses and body parts too which are done by people. Numerous garlands too are offered. This year Bandra fair which began on September 11. It would continue for a week and Navi Mumbaikars are gung-ho about going attending it even if it means travelling all the way to the suburbs.
While most families from the satellite city prefer going there on the feast day, others try to make it to the fair sometime during the week. Nerul resident Smita Kinny, who's lived in Bandra in the past, says that visiting the fair has been a annual ritual for many years.
"I came to the satellite city after my marriage. When I was living in Bandra, I used to go for all nine days of the novena and then visit the fair. For people living in Bandra, these eight days are a big feast in itself. Now, I make it a point to visit the pilgrimmage place every year along with my family. I have done so this year as well. I have always believed that whatever one wishes for at that church does come true."
Father Mosses Dantas from Our lady of Visitation Church in Nerul says that visiting the Bandra Fair is a family ritual for a majority of people. "Families make it a point to go there because of the strong devotion they have towards Mother Mary. They offer prayers and have a lot of fun," adds Fr Dantas. While some people still are making plans of visiting the fair (they can till Sunday). Vashi resident C'na (pronounced Sienna) Mathew has already visited Mount Mary church. "I had been there along with my parents, husband and kids two days ago. My father is very attached to this church in Bandra since it was one of the first churches he visited after coming to Mumbai from Kerala a few decades ago. Therefore we all go together and seek the blessings of Mother Mary. My kids also pray there and have a good time," says Mathew. Many masses happen all through the eight days in the mornings and evenings.
Vashi resident Robert Kadam says it is the devotion towards Mother Mary that pulls him to the holy place. "When I was a child, going to the Bandra Fair meant going for a picnic. We would pack food and eat it sitting near the sea shore. This year too, I am would be going there soon one of these days along with my family."
Father Siju Thomas, the parish priest of St. Thomas Syro Malbhar Church in Vashi, says that people, irrespecttve of comunity or creed flock to Mount Mary Church. "Not only Catholics, people of other communities too go to Mount Mary Church because of the strong devotion they have towards Mother Mary. They believe that she intercedes to her son Jesus because of which their favours are granted," concludes Fr Siju.
Devotees visit Mount Mary Church to thank Virgin Mary for favours
Come September, most Christian families are seen flocking to Bandra for the famous Bandra Fair which is held to commemorate the Nativity of Mother Mary. Loads of devotees make it a point to visit Mount Mary Church to thank Virgin Mary for the favours they have received and to seek added favours as well.
There are lots of wax offerings in the form of dolls, cars, houses and body parts too which are done by people. Numerous garlands too are offered. This year Bandra fair which began on September 11. It would continue for a week and Navi Mumbaikars are gung-ho about going attending it even if it means travelling all the way to the suburbs.
While most families from the satellite city prefer going there on the feast day, others try to make it to the fair sometime during the week. Nerul resident Smita Kinny, who's lived in Bandra in the past, says that visiting the fair has been a annual ritual for many years.
"I came to the satellite city after my marriage. When I was living in Bandra, I used to go for all nine days of the novena and then visit the fair. For people living in Bandra, these eight days are a big feast in itself. Now, I make it a point to visit the pilgrimmage place every year along with my family. I have done so this year as well. I have always believed that whatever one wishes for at that church does come true."
Father Mosses Dantas from Our lady of Visitation Church in Nerul says that visiting the Bandra Fair is a family ritual for a majority of people. "Families make it a point to go there because of the strong devotion they have towards Mother Mary. They offer prayers and have a lot of fun," adds Fr Dantas. While some people still are making plans of visiting the fair (they can till Sunday). Vashi resident C'na (pronounced Sienna) Mathew has already visited Mount Mary church. "I had been there along with my parents, husband and kids two days ago. My father is very attached to this church in Bandra since it was one of the first churches he visited after coming to Mumbai from Kerala a few decades ago. Therefore we all go together and seek the blessings of Mother Mary. My kids also pray there and have a good time," says Mathew. Many masses happen all through the eight days in the mornings and evenings.
Vashi resident Robert Kadam says it is the devotion towards Mother Mary that pulls him to the holy place. "When I was a child, going to the Bandra Fair meant going for a picnic. We would pack food and eat it sitting near the sea shore. This year too, I am would be going there soon one of these days along with my family."
Father Siju Thomas, the parish priest of St. Thomas Syro Malbhar Church in Vashi, says that people, irrespecttve of comunity or creed flock to Mount Mary Church. "Not only Catholics, people of other communities too go to Mount Mary Church because of the strong devotion they have towards Mother Mary. They believe that she intercedes to her son Jesus because of which their favours are granted," concludes Fr Siju.
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