In Bandra, September is never quiet! In the narrow lanes, food scents mingle with the din of the crowd, while snatches of conversation travel with the wind from the nearby sea. At the top of a hillock, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount stands watchful, as it has for over four centuries. But this year, alongside the annual Bandra Fair, something new has arrived: a reimagined way of seeing and experiencing the stories that have drawn millions here for generations.

Across the road from the Basilica, the new Pranam Maria Exhibition Centre has opened its doors. At first glance, it seems an unlikely addition; a sleek, immersive space in a precinct steeped in heritage. Step inside, and the contradictions fall away. Visitors are led through 30 scenes under the “Creation to Redemption” theme, where light, sound, and sculpture combine to retell stories backed by technology.

The 45-minute experience has been designed to speak to a wide audience. This includes daily visitors who come for the fair, families seeking a cultural outing, and even curious travellers who may not share the same faith but find themselves swept up in its atmosphere. Entry is priced modestly at ₹50 for viewing and at ₹200 for the full audio-visual tour, a deliberate gesture towards accessibility.

But the exhibition is only part of the precinct’s renewal. A restored pilgrim cottage, providing lodging for visitors journeying in from distant states, has also been put forward.

Inaugurated in May 2024 by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay, the project is timed to be fully active for Bandra Fair 2025, though its formal inauguration will follow in October. “This is as much about education as devotion”, says Father Sunder Albuquerque, the shrine’s vice-rector. “It’s about creating experiences that will resonate across generations”.

The Bandra Fair serves as both a cultural gathering and a festival. The lanes around the Basilica transform into a lively bazaar, lined with stalls selling everything from handcrafted candles, rosaries, and souvenirs to toys, trinkets, and festive keepsakes.

Food sits at the heart of the Bandra Fair, with timeless treats like Kadio Bodio and crisp Rose Cookies drawing loyal crowds year after year. These indulgences are paired with savouries and street snacks that capture the flavourful diversity of Mumbai’s culinary landscape. Amusement rides, games, and live entertainment add to the carnival-like atmosphere, making the fair a space where families, locals, and visitors converge to celebrate togetherness.

• May 2024: Inauguration of Pranam Maria Exhibition Centre by Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Archbishop of Bombay)

• 5–13 September 2025: Novenas (9 days of prayers) at Mount Mary Basilica

• 8 September 2025: Feast of the Nativity of Mary

• 14–21 September 2025: BMC-sanctioned Bandra Fair (stalls, civic administration)

• October 2025: Formal inauguration of Pranam Maria Exhibition Centre after Bandra Fair