One of the biggest social gatherings in the Mumbai’s western suburbs, the annual Mount Mary Fair, a.k.a. the Bandra Fair, is back after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19. This week-long festival will start from September 11th to 18th celebrating the birth of Mother Mary, Jesus Christ’s mother, and will attract people from all walks of life.
The festival is said to have started around 300 years ago when a figure of Mother Mary was found floating in the Arabian Sea. The original statue was renovated in 1761, and the Mount Mary Fair began.
A massive turnout for the fair is expected this year
Since the week-long festival is returning after a sabbath of two years, BMC is expecting a huge crowd of devotees and enthusiasts. The Municipality officials and the basilica officials are waiting for approval from the higher authorities for the fair.
According to the Assistant Municipal Commissioner of H-Ward, once they have approval for the fair, the BMC and Basilica officials will hold a joint meeting with the stakeholders like BEST, fire brigade, local police, and traffic police over the auction of the stalls. Mini BEST buses will run for the devotees to the Bandra Fair.
According to the Bishop at the Mount Mary Basilica, there will be a nine-day Novena prayer from September 2nd to 10th, followed by the Feast from September 11th to 18th.
