Mount Mary Church

The Basics

Mount Mary’s Church features semi-Gothic architecture, with twin bell towers and a stone edifice. Inside are a domed sanctuary and a nave with intricate teak wood carvings and Mangalore tiles. The church is a bit off the beaten path and group tours don’t often stop there, but independent travelers and those on private tours who opt for a visit will be in for a treat.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Dress modestly, with clothes that cover your knees and shoulders.

• Don’t take photos or walk around during mass.

• Non-Catholics and those who have not received First Communion in the Catholic tradition are requested not to take the Eucharist.

How to Get There

Mount Mary Church is located in Bandra, just off the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and a 10-minute walk from Bandra Fort. It takes 30 to 90 minutes to reach from the Fort area by car from Colaba, or an hour via public transportation (a mix of buses and trains).

When to Get There

Mass at Mount Mary Church is held four to six times per day, with special services around Easter, Holy Week, and Christmas. The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, held annually on September 8, is the busiest time of year here; it is followed by the annual Bandra Fair, when vendors set up food shops and stalls selling religious artifacts.

Christianity in India

Christianity is the third-largest religion in India, after Hinduism and Islam. European colonialism played a large role in spreading Christianity—particularly Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Presbyterianism—but Christianity has been in India for far longer. It was probably first introduced to the country by Thomas the Apostle, who is believed to have gone to Kerala only a couple of decades after the death of Christ.