Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, gives you temporary solace within the walls of architecturally brilliant churches. All of them have been standing for decades and have seen the city evolve into what it is today. So, make your Easter special and visit these churches in Mumbai.
5 Churches To Visit In Mumbai This Easter
1. Mount Mary Basilica, Bandra
When you talk about churches in Mumbai, this one always tops the list! Mount Mary Basilica is constructed on top of a small hill and is steeped in history. You can trace its existence back to the 15th century. A Jesuit Priest set out to build a chapel for the Virgin Mary and made it out of mud. It was later reconstructed in 1640 properly after witnessing a large number of devotees.
Outside the Roman Catholic church, you’ll find shops selling candles and flowers. But the church and its neighborhood really come to life in September. It’s because the Mount Mary Fair or Bandra Fair is held to commemorate Mother Mary’s birth. Explore the streets to indulge in lots of East Indian and Goan delicacies.
Timings: 6:30 am to 8:30 pm; Sundays – 6:30 am to 7:30 pm
2. Cathedral Of The Holy Name, Colaba
This remarkable Roman Catholic cathedral is also the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Bombay. It calls out to both devotees and visitors with its marvelous architecture and history. Previously the main church was Fort Chapel in Meadows Street, but when they could no longer accommodate devotees – Archbishop Theodore Dalhoff suggested building a new structure. This chapel now also accommodates schools and residences.
Upon entering the church, you’ll become spellbound by the Gothic style with spires, buttresses, frescoes, and a bell offered by Pope Paul IV. It’s a great representation of the Colonial Era and has been marked as a heritage site.
Timings: 6:30 am to 8:30 pm
3. Gloria Church, Byculla
You’ll recognize the church immediately from movies like Rockstar or Amar Akbar Anthony. It was built by Franciscans from Portugal, but then it was reconstructed to become a Victorian Gothic structure.
Right at the entrance, there is a giant marble statue of Jesus Christ. The exterior walls of the church have a unique shade of blue, making it stand out for a lot of travelers. Even the courtyard of the church is bustling with devotees, whose devotion is sure to uplift your mood.
Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
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4. Afghan Church, Colaba
The official name of this church is St. John the Evangelist, but to commemorate the martyrs of the First Afghan War, it’s popularly known as Afghan Church. Adorned with colorful stained windows and geometric floor tiles, the church is aesthetically very pleasing. A little fun fact: the tiles were brought all the way from England.
The pointed archway at the gate resembles Notre Dame quite a lot. All the arches of the church are constructed using basalt and limestone. Another one of the church’s notable features is its 60-meter-tall tower – very difficult to miss. It also stands as a testament of the charms of Old Mumbai.
Timings: 8:00 am to 7:30 pm
5. St Thomas Cathedral, Churchgate
Built way back in 1718, the St Thomas Cathedral has the reputation of being the oldest and still-standing structure built by the British. The name Churchgate actually referred to the gateway of this church, which opened to the East India Company’s Fort. Now everything makes sense, right?
While the St Thomas Cathedral is the erstwhile Bombay’s first Anglican church, its interiors are a curious blend of Byzantine and Colonial architecture. Inside, there’s an intricate memorial of the first bishop of Mumbai – Reverend Thomas Carr. Its sculptures, stained glass windows, and rich history attract a lot of tourists and devotees to this church.
Timings: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Summing Up
All these churches in Mumbai have stood the test of time and give visitors a glimpse into India’s colonial past. They also reflect the old-world charm of Mumbai, back when it was called Bombay.
