Every September, the streets around Mount Mary in Bandra take on a different character, with pilgrims heading to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount and nearby lanes filling with food stalls, religious items, shopping counters, games, and amusement rides. The Bandra Fair is one of Mumbai’s long-running annual traditions, with a history believed to stretch back around 300 years. In 2026, the religious celebrations begin with the Novena, followed by the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a week of festivities around Mount Mary.
When Does Bandra Fair 2026 Start?
The Bandra Fair 2026 will run from Sunday, September 13, to Sunday, September 20. The fair traditionally starts on the first Sunday after September 8, which marks the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Religious observances begin earlier. The Novena runs from September 4 to September 12, followed by the main Feast Day on September 13. From there, celebrations continue around Mount Mary’s Basilica and the surrounding area, including near Mount Carmel Church.
What Is The Religious Significance Of Bandra Fair?
At the center of the celebration is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, popularly known as Mount Mary Church. Devotees visit the basilica for prayers, Masses, and other religious observances connected with the feast. During the Novena, multiple Masses are scheduled throughout the morning and evening. Services are also conducted in different languages, including English, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Gujarati. On Feast Day, September 13, Masses begin early in the morning, with the Feast Mass scheduled for 11:30 AM.
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What Can You Expect At Bandra Fair 2026?
The religious celebrations are only one part of the experience. Beyond the services, the roads and steps around Mount Mary become a lively fairground, drawing devotees and visitors alike. Expect stalls selling religious articles such as rosaries, crosses, idols, candles, and other keepsakes. There are also stalls with jewelry, accessories, toys, clothes, and everyday fairground finds. Games and amusement rides add to the festive atmosphere, particularly for families visiting the area.
What Food Should You Try At Bandra Fair?
Food is one of the biggest attractions of Bandra Fair. The stalls reflect Mumbai’s mix of communities, with East Indian, Goan, and Koli influences alongside familiar fair snacks. Look out for choris pav, kala chana, petha, Calicut halwa, and the popular kadio bodios, or sweet sticks. Visitors can also find a variety of halwa, sweets, chips, chakli, and namkeen to eat while walking through the fair or to take home afterward.
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Where Should You Go During Bandra Fair?
The main destination is Mount Mary’s Basilica in Bandra West. Beyond the food, shopping, and atmosphere, the basilica remains the heart of the event. The fair spreads through the surrounding streets and around the Mount Mary Steps. Since the area can become crowded, visitors should be prepared to walk and avoid depending on parking near the church.
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How To Reach Bandra Fair 2026
Public transportation is generally the easiest way to reach the fair.
- By train: Take a Western or Harbor Line train to Bandra station. Central Line passengers can change at Dadar.
- By bus or auto: BEST buses serve the Mount Mary area, including Route 214. Auto-rickshaws are available from Bandra station.
- By Metro: Travelers can use the Aqua Line to Santacruz, walk to Santacruz railway station, and take a local train to Bandra.
Those arriving from outside Mumbai can travel from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and continue toward Bandra by road or public transportation.
Tips For Visiting Bandra Fair
The area can get extremely busy, especially during important religious services and peak fair hours. If your main aim is to explore the stalls, arriving between 10 AM and 6 PM may help avoid some of the busiest periods. September is also part of Mumbai’s monsoon season, so carrying an umbrella is sensible. Comfortable footwear is equally important since reaching the church and exploring the fair can involve considerable walking.
Author’s Note
Living in Bandra, it is difficult not to notice when the Bandra Fair comes around. The Mount Mary area becomes much busier, with crowds, food stalls, shopping, and celebrations taking over the surrounding streets. Even if you have never attended the fair itself, it remains a familiar part of Bandra’s identity and one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable annual traditions.
Summing Up
Bandra Fair 2026 begins on September 13 and continues through September 20, while the Novena starts earlier on September 4. For devotees, the religious celebrations at Mount Mary’s Basilica remain the focus. For other visitors, the fair offers a distinctly Mumbai mix of traditional food, shopping, rides, and crowded streets. Whether you are visiting for Mass, trying kadio bodios and choris pav, or simply experiencing one of Bandra’s oldest annual traditions, plenty is happening around Mount Mary throughout the week.
