The shrine of Our Lady of the Mount popularly known as Mount Mary or Mat Mauli, the corrupted form of Mata Mauli or Mother Mauli, is one of the most famous Christian shrines in India. The shrine, at that time a modest little hermitage, was founded by the Jesuits round about the years 1568-1570. In 1640 the hermitage was enlarged into a chapel. However another reference states, " In the year 1678 a chapel was built by the Portuguese and named Capella de N. Senhora do Monte, which was made filial to the ancient church of St. Anne."( B. L. D'silva in the Indian Antiquary XIX, pp. 443-44.) However one thing is certain that by 1679 it had become a famous place of pilgrimage frequented by Christrians and non-Christians alike. The present church which is a fine example of Gothic architecture with its noble facade and its soaring spires was built in 1904. he status of the shrine of Mount Mary was raised to a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XII, at the time of the centenary celebrations of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. A huge fair is held in honour of Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ and is celebrated during the Octave (Sunday to Sunday) following the feast on 8th September. During the period thousands of devotees from all walks of life with no discrimination of caste and creed throng the road leading to the chapel of Our Lady of the Mount that goes to show the secular nature and cosmopolitan character of Bombay city. Info sourced from Maharashtra State Gazetteers
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St. Andrew's Church stands on the sea-shore at Bandra on the site of a church of the same name, which was built in 1575 (According to the old Gazetteer of Thana District this church was built in 1575 while the Jesuit Report of 1669, refers to St. Andrew's church being built later than that of St. Anne. This report also mentions that the parish of St. Andrew was formed in 1616 since the parish of St. Anne had grown unwieldy and, therefore, an independent parish had to be formed at St. Andrew's to serve the needs of the neighbouring villages.) by the Rev. F. Manuel Gomes, the apostle of Salsette, the superior of the college of the Holy name at Vasai (Bassein). By 1588 Gomes had made 4,000 converts and by 1591 the number had risen to 6,000. Upto 1620 St. Andrew's was the only church at Bandra. Formerly the Church's door was at the west end and opened on the sea-shore. The entrance to the present church which was rebuilt in 1864, is at the east which presents the usually, quaintly ornamented face. The bare walls are surmounted by a steep tiled roof with bell towers at each side, and a figure of St. Andrew stands over the central door.
Information sourced from Maharashtra State Gazetteers
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A 'scrapture' as the sculptor Arzan Khambatta calls his work made out of scrap metal. This is at a busy traffic junction in Worli (Central Mumbai). This is what the sculptor has to say about this work - My most challenging project has been the Dolphins at Worli traffic island. I had just shifted into my new Sewri workshop, when a client came to with a proposition to create the sculpture in a time of 15 days. I was excited about doing a sculpture for a traffic island but daunted by the time restrains. I took up the challenge. I did the drawing in front of the client by noon the cardboard cut outs of the Dolphins were read. The next challenge was to get workers, since I did not have all the machines and equipment that I have today. Besides steel is a completely different medium. The client had told me that if I am unable to meet the deadline I would not be paid. So my entire family came out to support me. My wife and kids slept at the studio and we worked continuously day and night until it was completed in a period of 13 days. Not only did I surprise the client and all my friends and well wishers, I surprised myself.
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Tiny bubbles frothing as the waves crash on the rocks at the foot of the Bandra Fort. To view fascinating images on the theme from around the world please click here
Public transport in urban Mumbai - the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) bus service which will help you reach the remotest corner of Mumbai.
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