The Basilica of the Lady of the Mount (Mount Mary Church) (Code : 038)

- Archival Photo Print

Mount Mary church edifice is just 100 years old, the history behind the current statue of Our lady goes back to the 16th centuy when Jesuit priests from Portugal brought the statue to the current location and constructed a chapel. In 1700 Arab pirates interested in the gilt-lined object held in the hand disfigured the statue by cutting off the right hand. Also, the church was destroyed in 1738 during the raid by the Marathas.

In 1760, the church was rebuilt and the statue was substituted with a statue of Our Lady of Navigators in St. Andrew’s church nearby. This statue has an interesting legend. It goes that a Koli fisherman dreamt that he would find a statue in the sea. The statue was found floating in the sea between 1700 and 1760. The Koli Fisherman call the statue as Mot Mauli, literally meaning. The Pearl Mother (Mot=Moti=Pearl and Mauli=Mother). However the previous statue is now restored and now enjoys the place.

The basilica stands on a hillock, about 80 meters above sea level overlooking the Arabian Sea. Basilica of our Lady of the Mount is dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary. It draws lakhs of devotees and pilgrims annually and also during annual Bandra Fair.