Churches In India

St Marys Basilica Bangalore

Location	Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Dedication	St. Mary
Status	Minor Basilica
Province	Karnataka

Located in southern Indian state of Karnataka, St. Mary's Basilica is one of the major basilicas in the country. Ashok Ajith Kumar had built this oldest church of Bangalore. Other noticeable aspect is that it is a sole church in Karnataka that had been granted minor basilica status. Festivities held in September month each year to celebrate St. Mary's Feast which turns the occasion awesome. It is a time period when large volume of devotees arrive at this place from different parts of country besides Bangalore city.

History

The then Bangalore of 1648 was a tiny city when it welcomed Christianity into Srirangapattana that used to serve as capital of Mysore province. The period from 1724 to 25 witnessed foundation of the first church in Bangalore named Drummers' Chapel built in Kalasipalya locality at a time while Hyder Ali ruled the region. Once this province came under the control of Tippu Sultan who ascended reins from his father, all Mysore based Christian missionaries were literally forced to flee. That is why Christianity couldn’t spread full-fledged in Mysore until 1799 until the British defeated Tipu Sultan to bring Srirangapattana under its fold. Catholic religion was restored thereafter under the guidance of French MEP priest, Fr. Abbe du Bois who was especially brought to Bangalore city. He also visited nearby regions including Somanahalli, Kamanahalli, Begur, Gunjam, Palahalli, Doranahalli, Garenahalli, Shettyhalli amongst others to bring Catholic population at single platform to spread Christianity further and help them repose faith on religion. This priest remained the first to introduce a concept of vaccination in Indian subcontinent. Other important contribution of him is writing notable book “Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies” that attained immense popularity. Present Church at Palahalli near Srirangapattana still preserves mass vestments which Fr. Du Bois wore during his time. It was in 1803 that he had built a Chapel that had a thatched roof. The location was at Bili Akki Palli or colloquially, Blackpally which received huge number of gatherings by devotees. It was named Kaanike Mathe Devalaya in local Kannada language or the Church of Our Lady of the Presentation as translated in English.  

The place of current basilica is small prayer house inside the Church. Regular mass would have been organized soon after the establishment of Bangalore Cantonment under the guidance of Father Abbe du Bois. Both European and Indian Catholics would attend the mass. Fr. Abbe du Bois further enhanced this chapel through proper modification in 1813 for which British government helped him. Finally the chapel was renamed to the Church of the Purification of Our Lady, Blackpalli. Front nave of old church is the place where miraculous statue was kept. Recent engraving revealed many things representing 1813 especially remains of the priest residents which he had built that year. Unfortunately those residents were destroyed in the communal riots of 1832 that engulfed this area. The period from 1856–1882 saw the rebuilding of this structure whose original name was restored upon completion as the Church of our Lady of the Presentation. Current majestic basilica had been designed in Gothic form by the then Rev. L. E. Kleiner. Vicar Apostolic of Mysore, Bishop Jean-Yves-Marie Coadou built the new church on September 8, 1882 with an untiring support of 35 priests and 4,000 Catholics from Bangalore area. Rs. 29,659 was invested for the construction of new church including pulpit and statue there. The church of St. Mary's at Blackpally turned into a parish in due course of time. It has also seen the spreading of Christianity in the area especially construction of large number of churches in the city including St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral in the year 1851, St. Joseph's Church built in 1867 and of course Sacred Heart Church of Ashoknagar that was built in 1867. Pope Paul VI issued an edict for the elevation of this church to attain the status of minor basilica in 1973. This church remains the 6th Indian Church to be given such status today. Location of Blackpally has been renamed to Shivajinagar nowadays.

Architecture

Professional French architect built the spacious gothic church of St. Mary’s Basilica whose uniqueness is Cross form that differentiates it from rest. With 172 feet long and 50 feet broad area this church looks great with the splendid tower which is the Church façade and whose 160 feet height is noticed by all and sundry. The 6 feet high pretty statue of Mother Mary holding Child Jesus in her arms is stationed there that looks amazing and enchants the devotees arriving in this shrine. Its location in the outer area of Church building literally mesmerizes everybody. It also inspires the visitors to the most. Typical dress of Indian women, Saree is wrapped on the Our Mother Mary everyday for decoration. Stories are rife that attempt was made to remove this statue in 1875 while new Church building was developed to install a famous altar in the interiors of Church but miraculously the old statue remained immovable and none could replace it. Such strange incidence is assumed the showcasing of power by Our Lady even to this day.

St. Mary's Feast

Hundreds of thousands of devotees attend the St. Mary's Feast to celebrate Mother Mary’s birth. It is a major festival whose celebration inside basilica is noticed by all. This 10-day long festival is celebrated in the September month. Key attractions of this festival are the grand chariot procession to conclude the festival in last day that remains key attraction. A traditional flag is hoisted to indicate start of festivities. First nine days from August 29 to September 7 continues with the Novena program while September 8 is feast day to mark birth of Mother Mary. Other important attractions are offering of Holy Masses in multiple languages besides arranging the mass marriages of poor and needy people. Those couples having completed 50 years of married life are offered thanksgiving mass to encourage and bless them. The day of feast witnesses several enthusiastic celebrations. Notable attraction is procession of decorated chariot which carries the Mother Mary’s image. Devotees take it to different locations in the Bangalore city.

Mass Timings

Weekdays	Saturday	Sunday
06:00 English	06:00 English	06:00 English
06:45 Tamil	06:45 Tamil	07:00 Tamil
08:30 Mon, Tue & Fri Tamil	09:00 Kannada	08:00 Tamil
08:30 Wed Kannada	10:00 Tamil (English on First Sat)	09:15 Kannada
08:30 Thu English	11:15 English (Tamil on First Sat)	11:00 Tamil
11:00 Tamil	18:00 Tamil	18:00 English

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