Bandra Feast Facts
Come September and the suburb of Bandra in Mumbai is abuzz with the celebration of what’s popularly known as “Bandra feast”. Not only Christians but people from other faiths as well love to be a part of this pray and party vibe. So take a few moments to solve this quiz about Bandra’s beloved “ Mot Mauli”, as the Virgin Mary is affectionately referred to.
- What is the main reason for the celebration of ‘Bandra Feast’ ? … … a)the Nativity of Jesus b) the Nativity of Joseph c) the Nativity of Mary d)the Immaculate Conception of Mary
2. Around 1570 A.D., a simple oratory of mud was built on top of a hill at the southern end of Bandra and a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary was installed by a group of priests for their private devotion to Our Lady of the Nativity. What was this group of priests called ?…….. ……. ….. ………… . . . a) Franciscans b) Jesuits c) Trappist Monks
3. This oratory was converted into a chapel in 1640 for the use of soldiers stationed nearby. Which country were the soldiers from ?…… ……… . . . … a) Portugal b) Spain c) France d) Britain
4. Over the years other people from the vicinity began to use it. Then in 1700 the chapel was ransacked by marauding pirates in search of gold and treasures . What harm did they do? … ……..… ….. ….. …. …. ….. …. …. …… a) they burnt the altar and statue of the Virgin Mary completely …. …. …... b)they burnt parts of the church and chopped off the right arm of the statue of the Virgin Mary…… …… ……. ….. ………. ……… ……. ….. ….. … . . c) they cut off the head of the statue
5. What prevented those same pirates from doing more damage?….. …… . a) they were apprehended by local villagers who fought back bravely in self defence ……. ……… ……. ……… …….. ……. ……. …….. ……. …… …………. . b) there was a sudden and severe dust storm …… …….. …….. ………. . . . . . c) it is believed that the pirates were attacked by a swarm of bees
6. In 1761 the chapel was rebuilt and this time the statue of Mary was shown with the child Jesus. Why was this so?….. ….. ….. ….. ….. ….. …. … . . a) The sculptor got a message in a dream that he should add the statue of Baby Jesus … … …. …. .. …. ….. … …. ….. …. … ….. …. … …. …………………b) The original statue was of Mother Mary holding the child Jesus…….. . . . c) The most common favour the devotees asked for was the gift of a child and a safe delivery at childbirth. So the priests at that time decided to add the statue of Baby Jesus to the original statue of the Virgin Mary.
7. What material was used to make the statue of the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus ……… ……… ……….. ………… ………. ………….. …………….. ………… . a) Ceramic b) papier- Mache c) marble d) wood
8. A devotee who had lost children at young ages had made a fervent prayer to Mother Mary that his/ her 3rd daughter would not die in early childhood and the prayer was granted . In thanksgiving the devotee built a road (the current Mahim Causeway which was opened in 1845) linking Bandra to South Mumbai, to make it easier for more pilgrims to pray and worship at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount. Name the devotee and the faith he/she belonged to ……… .. . ….. ……….. ……. ……. …….. ……… . . . . . . . . . a) Lady Edwina Mountbatten (Christian) b) Kaka Joseph Baptista (Christian) c) Lady Avabai Jejeebhoy ( Parsi)
9.Over the years the chapel underwent renovations . In 1900 the chapel was demolished and in its place a majestic new church was opened to the public for worship in 1904. This church was upgraded to the status of a minor Basilica in 1954. The twin towers on either side of the main entrance to the church were a major silhouette on Bandra’s sky — line till the 1970’s and before sky scraper buildings irrevocably changed Bandra’s sky- line. What is the architectural style of the present “Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount”? …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. …. ….. …. … … . . . . .a) Early Christian b) Byzantine c) semi- Gothic
10. The “Bandra fair” with its food stalls, handicraft stalls, games of skills stalls and amusement rides on ferris wheels and merry — go -rounds has purely fun -filled and family centric activities and is no doubt very popular but remains incidental to the main tradition of paying homage to “ Mot Mauli” . Which public utility contributed to an ever increasing number of revellers?…… …… ……. ….. ….. ….. ……. …… ……… ……… ……. ……. … . . . a) the expansion of the Western and Central Railways in the second half of the 19th century…. …… …… ……. …… …… ….. …… …… ….. ….. . . . . . . . . . b) the building of Mumbai’s first airport at Santa Cruz
11. In which church in Bandra will you see a statue of Baby Mary, which is displayed for nine days before 08 September and during the Bandra feast week? ……………………………………………………….. .. .. .. . . . . . … …… . . . . a) Mount Mary’s Basilica b) St. Anne’s Church on Pali Hill c) St Andrew’s Church on Hill Road
12. What is the approximate number of devotees of all faiths per day who attend the Basilica’s outdoor religious services, during the feast week? …. …. …. .. .. .. . . ………. ……………….. ……. …….. …… ….. …. . . . . . a) 5000 b) 10,000 c) 40,000
13. Which 2 popes visited the basilica during their papal visits to India?…. . a) Pope Paul VI b) Pope John Paul I c) Pope John Paul II d) Pope Benedict XVI.. e) Pope Francis
Answers to most of the questions have been checked from the following books : The Story of Bandra Feast by Olga Valladares ; Heritage of Mount Mary Bandra by Msgr Francis Correa ; Bandra — Its Religious and Secular History by Braz A Fernandes
1-c….. 2-b ….. 3-a….. 4-b….. 5-c….. 6-c….. 7-d….. 8-c ….. 9-c….. 10a….. . . 11-b…... 12-b ….. 13 -a & c
