By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
 
Mumbai, Sep 12: Mount Mary Fair, a week-long festival, commenced at the historically famous Mount Mary chapel, Bandra (West), on Sunday September 12. 

The annual festivities at the Mount Mary chapel have a rich history dating back over 400 years.  Mumbaikars regardless of caste, creed, and religion offer prayers during the week-long celebrations.
 

The feast of Nativity of Mary is celebrated by Catholics in the metro and later in Goa and in coastal Karnataka, with family reunions by traditionally sharing new paddy-sheaves and new crop. 
 
The nine-days of novena services in many Indian languages commemorates the feast of Mount Mary here.  Thousands of devotees arrive at the feet of Mother Mary, seeking divine grace and strength to overcome major setbacks in life. 
 
It is a tradition to begin the Mount Mary Fair on a Sunday of the week that follows the feast of Nativity of Mary (Monti Fest in Konkani) every year.