MUMBAI, SEPT 12
The Mount Mary Fair, a week-long festival, commenced at the historically famous Mount Mary Chapel at Bandra (West) on Sunday September 12.
The annual festivities at the Mount Mary chapel have a history dating back over 400 years. Mumbaikars regardless of caste, creed, and religion offer prayers during the week-long celebrations.
The nine days of novena services in many Indian languages commemorate the feast of Mount Mary. Abuzz with excitement, the Bandra fair has stalls selling gooey Goan sweets and wax idols of the Virgin along with an assortment of candles shaped like hands, feet and various other parts of the body. It is the time when the sickly and all those in need for blessings converge with a pious hope that Mother Mary will consider their appeals for help.
Traditionally, the Mount Mary Fair begins on the Sunday of the week that follows the Feast of Nativity of Mary each year.