Church steps get artistic makeover ahead of Bandra Fair

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Sep 16, 2016:  Just ahead of the start of this year’s Bandra Fair, a Mumbai-based NGO has beautified the steps of the iconic Mount Mary Church in Bandra.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, more commonly referred to as Mount Mary Church, is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Bandra, Mumbai. The 400-year-old church is frequented by many Catholics from the western suburb of the city.

The beautification initiative was taken up by ‘I Love Mumbai’ foundation, a brainchild of Rahul N. Kanal, while the artist responsible for the striking artwork is Tyrell Valladares. Bandra is also home to Valladares’ other artwork, the most prominent of which is a metal and glass installation ‘We Are The World’ and a sheet metal typography of ‘I Am Bandra’ near Bandra RTO.

Every year, the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on the first Sunday after 8 September, which is followed by a week-long celebration known locally as ‘Bandra Fair’.

Thousands of people from different creeds and all walks of life throng the fair each year, as civic authorities work overtime and do their best to accommodate the massive crowd.

The beautification of the steps completed this Saturday, a day before the start of this year’s Bandra Fair. The eight day extravaganza will culminate on Sunday, September 18.