Bandra Mount Mary Feast 2026 Dates Announced

The annual feast and fair at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount in Bandra is set to take place from September 4 to 20. The novena will be held from September 4 to 12, with Sunday, September 13, celebrated as the feast day of Mother Mary.

The religious services during the period will be held in seven languages, including English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, and Malayalam. The octave, an eight-day celebration of the feast, will continue from September 13 to 20.

The Bandra fair, which is an adjunct to the religious festival, will also be held from September 13 to 20. The fair will feature traditional Goan and East Indian food, entertainment rides, and music, making it one of the largest celebrations in the city.

The church has released the list of allottees for the 130-odd stalls along the path to the Mount. Another 20 stalls on the steps are reserved for nuns and clergy. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) separately auctions over 400 stalls on four roads leading to the Mount Mary steps.

However, the online bidding system for stall allocation has faced opposition from traditional vendors. Rupesh Gomes, whose family has run a stall on the steps since 1947, did not get a slot this year. He alleged that many who bid for slots have no experience in the business and sublet the stall for more money.

The Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP), which represents native Roman Catholics, has demanded reservation of stalls for them and greater prominence for Marathi during the octave. The MGP has sought priority for East Indian handicrafts, traditional food, and merchandise to preserve the traditional village-festival character of the fair.

The group has also demanded that the East Indian hymn Devache Mae be used as the recessional hymn at all octave masses instead of Konkani, and an East Indian Marathi mass on the final Saturday. They have sought a stall at the entrance to raise funds for their proposed East Indian Bhavan and St Gonsalo Garcia Chapel.

According to Vicky Misquitta, MGP spokesperson, the group is not against anyone but is demanding their rightful share and respect for their state language Marathi and their East Indian dialect. The MGP has sought a meeting with the church authorities to discuss their demands.

The annual feast and fair at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount is a significant event in Mumbai, attracting thousands of devotees and visitors. The event is not only a celebration of faith but also a showcase of the city's cultural diversity.

The demands made by the MGP highlight the importance of preserving the traditional character of the fair and promoting the East Indian community's culture and language. The event is expected to be a grand success, with the church and the BMC working together to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.