St. Mary's Basilica, Bengaluru — Attraction in Bengaluru

Famous temple...St. Mary's Basilica is located in the Archdiocese of Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is among the oldest churches in Bangalore and the first church in the state that has been elevated to the status of a minor basilica.It is famous for festivities held during the St. Mary's Feast in the month of September each year, attracting devotees from the entire region of Bangalore.

St. Mary's Basilica had a humble beginning as a thatched hut in the 17th century, built by Tamil Christian migrants from Gingee. The Shrine was then known as 'Chapel of Kanikkai Madha' and was located in their village where rice was grown. The rice grown in the village had a distinct white colour, and hence the settlement came to known as Bili Akki Palli or colloquiallyly could have been named after John Blakiston (1785-1867), who designed the layout of the Bangalore Cantonment.

Bangalore was not a big city in 1648 when Christianity entered Srirangapattana, the capital city of the then Mysore province. But during Hyder Ali's tenure in 1724–25, Bangalore saw its first Church, Drummers' Chapel, in the Kalasipalya locality. When Tippu Sultan ascended the throne, Christian missionaries had to flee Mysore; thus the history of Christianity in Mysore was murky until 1799. In that year the British seized Srirangapattana from Tipu Sultan. The French MEP priest Jean-Antoine Dubois arrived at Bangalore and began restoring the Catholic religion. He went around Somanahalli, Kamanahalli, Begur, Gunjam, Palahalli, Doranahalli, Garenahalli, Shettyhalli, and beyond, visiting the Catholic families there and ministering to their spiritual needs. He was one of the first to introduce vaccination into India; he also wrote the famous book Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies.The Mass vestments worn by Fr. Jean-Antoine Dubois are still preserved in the church at Palahalli near Srirangapattana.

Dubois built a chapel with a thatched roof in 1803 at Bili Akki Palli, or colloquially Blackpally and offered Mass there. The structure was called Kaanike Mathe Devalaya, which in Kannada means the Church of Our Lady of the Presentation. That small prayer house is the location where the basilica currently stands. When Bangalore Cantonment was established, a Mass was regularly held by Dubois and attended by both European and Indian Catholics. In 1811 Dubois built a small chapel with a rectory for priests. In 1813, with the help of the British, he modified and enhanced the chapel and renamed it the Church of the Purification of Our Lady, Blackpalli. Until recently the engraving of the year '1813' was seen in the front nave of the old church where the miraculous statue is housed.

Fr. Andreas, a priest from Pondicherry of Indian origin, succeeded Dubois and expanded the church building in the shape of a cross. But it was destroyed during the communal riots of 1832, and troops had to be called in to protect the settlement for many months.

The church was rebuilt during the years 1856–1882 under its original name, the Church of our Lady of the Presentation. The current form of the majestic Gothic-style church (pictured) is credited to Rev. L. E. Kleiner. It was consecrated on 8 September 1882 by Bishop Jean-Yves-Marie Coadou, the Vicar Apostolic of Mysore, in the presence of 35 priests and 4,000 Catholics of Bangalore. The total amount spent on the construction of the new church. including the pulpit and the statues, was Rs. 29,659.

Over time, the church of St. Mary's at Blackpally had become a parish and has since overseen the construction of other churches in Bangalore, most prominently St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral (1851), St. Joseph's Church (1867), and Sacred Heart Church, Ashoknagar (1867). The church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1973 through an edict issued by Pope Paul VI. It was the sixth church in India to be elevated to this status. An annual nine-day Novena is held between 30 August and 7 September, with Mass being offered in English, Kannada,...

Beautiful Basilica. MIRACULOUS STATUE OF OUR LADY At the main entrance of the Shrine you will find another Statue of Our Lady, a smaller one, which has a story behind it. It is believed to have happened in the year 1832, that the Church was attacked by some miscreants and every thing was destroyed except this small statue. It is also said that when they attempted to pull it down, they were struck blind. Soon police and military contingents arrived on the scene and restored just when the mob hat set fire to the Church. The statue thus miraculously saved, is the one that it placed in an imposing, flower decked, illuminated palanquin taken in procession during the important days of Marian devotion. It is true that for several years even Muslims were in the habit of taking out in solemn procession, the same statue of Our Lady.

THE ANNUAL FEAST The Main feast is celebrated with all grandeur on the 8th of September, the Feast day of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, every year. This feast is considered by the people, not only as the Feast of the Parish, but also for the whole of the Archdiocese and State of Karnataka.

In preparation to the Feast, nine days novena is observed, wherein Holy Masses are celebrated through out the day, in which thousands of People participate with ardent devotion. Through the Feast the devotees are found to be dressed in ‘Saffron’ clothing. Archbishop blesses the flag and joins the Chief Guests in hoisting the flag. This hoisting of the flag symbolizes that our hearts too are to be raised towards the Almighty God with the perpetual help of Our Lady. Indeed it is spectacular to view when thousands of people gathered around the flag post, join in singing the praise of Mary Our Mother – ‘Ave Maria’ (Praise to Mary) fills the air, when the flag is hoisted.

According to the tradition, every day flag is hoisted beginning from the Flag Hoisting day till the ninth day of Novena.

On the Feast day, September 8th people gather in Lakhs, without any distinction of caste, creed or religion, not only from all parts of Bangalore, but also from all over India to pay their homage to Our Lady. The whole city embraces the festive mood on that day. Through out the day people flock in with lighted candles and flowers to pray and thank Mother Mary. In the evening, around 5.00 p.m. A grand car procession – a chariot carrying the 6 feet statue of Mother Mary, draped in a wonderful silk saree, with spectacular illuminations and decorations, is carried on the streets of Shivaji Nagar.

Mary, Mother of God is the mother of all generations, and she embraces everyone, without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion and language. While we approach her, all that we need to possess, is true faith and selfless love in her and her son Jesus. She is not the end of our lives, rather she is the one who will lead us safe, just like a mother who will lead her child by holding its little hands, to the eternal kingdom of God. GLORY TO GOD AND PRAISES TO...

St. Mary's Basilica, located in the heart of Shivajinagar, Bengaluru, is the oldest church in the city and holds the distinction of being the only church in Karnataka elevated to the status of a minor basilica. Its origins trace back to the 17th century when Tamil Christian migrants from Gingee settled in the area and built a thatched chapel known as the "Chapel of Kanikkai Madha." Over the centuries, the church underwent several transformations, culminating in its consecration in 1882. In 1973, it was granted the status of a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI, making it the sixth church in India to receive this honor .

Mass Timings: St. Mary's Basilica offers daily Masses in multiple languages, catering to the diverse congregation. Masses are conducted in English, Tamil, Kannada, Konkani, and Malayalam at various times throughout the week. The basilica also observes special services such as the Divine Mercy Prayer daily at 3:00 PM and Holy Hours on the first Friday of every month from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM .

Annual Feast: The basilica is renowned for the St. Mary's Feast, celebrated annually in September. The festivities commence with a nine-day Novena from August 30th to September 7th, culminating in the grand feast on September 8th, commemorating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebrations include processions, special Masses, and cultural events, drawing thousands of devotees from across the region .

Visiting Information: Location: Msgr. F. Noronha Road, Shivajinagar, Bengaluru – 560 051

Visiting Hours: The basilica is open daily from early morning until evening.

Accessibility: Easily accessible via public transportation, with the Shivajinagar Bus Terminus nearby and Cubbon Park Metro Station within...