For over a hundred years situated atop a hillock near Lands End Bandra, overlooking the Arabian Sea is Mount Mary’s Basilica a beautiful edifice in stone that simply stands out in its grandeur, an abode of tranquility, peace, reassurance and hope!
Mount Mary’s, affectionately beckons one and all. No invitations are required to spend time with our Blessed Mother. Once inside this beautiful church even a single glance at Mary with the child Jesus is a feast for the eye, both natural and that of faith.
Thanking God or simply paying homage with the simplest or rarest of gifts, Mount Mary’s provides ample scope. For those who are in need of divine grace, to all of you who are troubled with the problems of daily life, come and worship at the Shrine of Mary. She is the Mother of all mankind. She will grant you solace, understanding and Hope. Mother Mary leaves no one unaided.
This website would help you understand the background of this basilica, to keep yourself updated on the timings for the availability of the various services and to become aware of the other special programmes taking place in and around the basilica. You may also use this website to explore the various spiritual questions that time and again come to your mind.
Views of the Bandra church
Basilica History
1570
With the Jesuit Fathers beginning to take care of ministry in Bandra with headquarters at Santa Ana Church (near the old slaughter house), a simple Oratory made of mud emerges at the Mount near Lands End, for private devotion only. A wooden statue of Our Lady, depicted as the Mother of God was brought by the Jesuits from Portugal and placed on the main altar. This could be considered as the first edifice, which immediately begins to attract a large number of devotees.
1573
The Priest-in-charge of Bandra area was Fr. Joao Diaz SJ.
1587
The Mount Mary Oratory is placed under the authority of the Parish of Santa Ana.
1616
The increase of Christian population required the bifurcation of the old parish of Santa Ana. The parish of St. Andrew was thus created and the Mount Mary Oratory was placed under the authority of the new Parish of St. Andrew’s.
Chapel
1640
The Mount Mary Oratory is enlarged into a Chapel (2nd edifice) for use of the increasing number of devotees, as well as for the Portuguese garrison stationed in the Fort at Lands End.
1665
Bombay island is handed over to the British by the Portuguese.
1700
Bandra was invaded by a pirate army of the Muscat Arabs who, hoping to find treasure, attempted to ransack the Shrine. When disappointed in their expectations, they chopped of the right forearm of the statue, thinking it was of gold! They also intended to set fire to the church, when a huge army of bees attacked them so cruelly that they were forced to abandon their evil intentions and leave. As the statue was damaged, it was probably stored in the lumber room, and, in order not to disappoint the pilgrims, the statue of Our Lady of Navigators from the side altar of St. Andrew’s Church was brought to the Mount.
1739
The last Jesuit Vicar of St Andrew’s, Fr Thomas Villanova SJ leaves Bandra, and a local Priest, Fr. Paulo Dias, took charge of St. Andrew’s Parish and the Mount Mary Chapel.
1741-61
Public devotion at the Mount comes to a standstill because of political instability and a lack of priests to look after the Shrine.
Church
1761
Mount Mary Chapel was rebuilt for the third time. The broken statue of Our Lady of the Mount was repaired by placing a detachable Child Jesus on it; the statue that was brought from St. Andrew’s Church was returned to its original place. This same year, the Archbishop of Goa, Dom Antonio Taveira de Neiva Brum da Silveira, established the Confraternity of Nossa Senhora de Monte attached to the Chapel.
1848
Fr. Antonio Joaquim da Silva, curate of St Andrew’s since 1839, was known as “Chaplain of Nossa Senhora de Monte” he now lies buried in the sacristy of St Andrew’s.
1848-52
With financial aid from Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and family, in gratitude for favours received, a road was constructed from the Bandra end of the newly-built Mahim Causeway to Mount Mary Church.
1869-79
Fr Ersamo Francisco Xavier who was now Chaplain renovated and embellished the chapel.He probably added a glass portico in front of the chapel.
1882
The Chaplain, Fr Elias Hypolito Fernandes (from Chuim), renovated the Chapel yet again.
1885
Mahim causeway came to be built, as well as the linking of the railway line, causing a greater influx of pilgrims to the shrine.
1895
A major devastating plague broke out in Mumbai.
Location
By air
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, is the closest airport, the Basilica is situated approximately 12 Kms. from the international airport and about 8 Kms. from the domestic airport. Pre-paid taxis are available at both airports.
By road
The Basilica is accessible by motorable roads, reaching there often depends upon the prevailing normal or chaotic traffic situations.
Local public road transport (auto-rickshaws & taxis) to the shrine is easily available, however the public bus (BEST) route no. 211 from the Bandra Station turnarounds at Lands End. From there a fairly steep but short uphill climb (via Kane Rd.) to the Basilica is required. Another bus route no. 214 from the Bandra station too has its turnaround point near the steps of the Mount via St. John the Baptist Rd. This bus stop is referred to as ‘Mount Mary Steps’ these steps allow one access from the eastern side but are used only as an exit route during the Bandra Fair in September.
By rail
The closest railway stop is the historical Bandra Station currently over a hundred years old, it has always been an instrumental link between devotees and Mount Mary’s. It is approximately 2.5 Kms. away.
Poondi Madha Trust is trying to extend help to widows and widowers. In a project, 819 widows and 152 widowers of Perambalur District were helped with free dhotis and saris.
Poondi Madha Trust is trying to extend help to as many school going poor children as possible in the vicinity with extra uniforms, note books, school bags, financial help, scholarship etc. ln a highly competitive field of education poor children will be left out if they are not helped at the right time.
The free meal plan is indeed a big help. Free meal is given every 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of each month.
Poondi Madha Basilica is grabbing every opportunity either to inform the students of the jobs available in institutions and companies or conduct programmes that facilitate them to approach job offering institutions.
People have to travel at least 3 kms to have the basic health care facility. Running of health awareness and health care programmes therefore becomes a necessity under such conditions. We conduct such programmes in collaboration with public health departments and private institutions.
We do conduct small programmes of awareness on environment protection and promotion, which will be of great benefit to the people who are living in the surroundings
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