Bandra Fair 2024 Schedule Announced Amid Pushback Over Mount Mary Stall Allotments
The annual feast and fair schedule for the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount in Bandra has been announced, with religious services and celebrations set to begin in September amid concerns raised by traditional vendors over the church's stall allocation process.
The novena will run from September 4 to 12, followed by the feast day of Mother Mary on Sunday, September 13. The octave, an eight-day celebration, and the accompanying Bandra fair will take place from September 13 to 20. Religious services during the period will be conducted in seven languages: English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, and Malayalam.
On Friday, the church administration released the list of allottees for approximately 130 stalls along the pathway leading to the Mount. An additional 20 stalls on the steps have been reserved for nuns and clergy. Separately, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) auctions more than 400 stalls across four approach roads leading to the Mount Mary steps.
The church's transition in recent years from allocating steps stalls to traditional families to an online bidding system continues to draw opposition. Traditional vendors have expressed frustration over losing spots held for generations. Rupesh Gomes, whose family has operated a stall on the steps since 1947, said he was not allotted a slot this year and alleged that several inexperienced bidders sublet slots for higher amounts.
The Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP), representing native Roman Catholics, has also raised demands for stall reservations and greater prominence for East Indian traditions and the Marathi language. The group is seeking priority for East Indian handicrafts, traditional food, and merchandise to maintain the fair's identity as 'Vandar Cha Sann'.
Additionally, the MGP requested that the East Indian hymn Devache Mae be used as the recessional hymn at octave masses, that an East Indian Marathi mass be held on the final Saturday following the annual 'Mot Mauli Purcessao' procession from Mahim Church, and that a stall at the entrance be allocated to raise funds for an East Indian Bhavan and St Gonsalo Garcia Chapel.
MGP spokesperson Vicky Misquitta stated that indigenous locals founded the festival and should have priority and recognition for Marathi and their East Indian dialect. However, Deacon Navin D'Silva of the Basilica confirmed that the church will not alter the allocation process, stating that the allotment is complete and the current system will continue.
