Bandra Mount Mary Feast 2026: Novena, Fair Dates Announced Amid East Indian Community’s Stall And Language Demands

Bandra prepares for its annual Mount Mary feast and fair, with a novena to be held from September 4 to 12, followed by a feast day celebration on September 13. Religious services during this period will be conducted in seven different languages, including English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, and Malayalam. The eight-day octave celebration will continue from September 13 to 20.

The fair, one of the largest of its kind in the city, will also run concurrently, featuring traditional Goan and East Indian food, rides, and music. On Friday, the church announced the allotment list for the 130+ stalls along the Mount path and reserved 20 stalls for nuns and clergy. However, the BMC separately auctioned over 400 stalls on four roads leading to the Mount Mary steps, causing opposition from traditional vendors who prefer an online bidding system.

This year, the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP), representing the founding East Indian community of the festival, has demanded priority for their stalls, traditional food, and merchandise to preserve the fair's village festival character, referred to as 'Vandar Cha Sann'. They also seek the use of East Indian hymns in octave masses and an East Indian Marathi mass on the final Saturday, following their annual procession from Mahim Church to Mount Mary.

MGP spokesperson Vicky Misquitta emphasized the community's demand for a fair share and respect for their state language, Marathi, and East Indian dialect.