Introduction

Standing tall in the crowded Shivajinagar area in the heart of Bangalore, St. Mary’s Basilica is the city’s oldest church and the only one in Karnataka to be granted the status of a minor basilica. Now a spacious gothic church built in the form of a cross, St Mary’s started out as a thatched hut in the 17th century and was called the Chapel of Kanikkai Madha (Church of Our Lady of Presentation). It catered largely to the Christians who had come over from Ginjee, Tamil Nadu. Finding the land fertile and excellent for cultivating white rice, they settled down and soon a village called Bili akki palli (or Blackpalli as it came to be known) sprang up there.

When the British seized Srirangapattana from Tipu Sultan in 1799, the French priest Fr Abbe du Bois arrived in Bangalore and started developing the church further. In 1811, he built a small chapel and a priests’ residence. He was succeeded by Fr Andreas, an Indian priest from Pondicherry, who expanded the church in the shape of cross. But the church fell apart during the communal riots of 1832, and had to be guarded by troops for months after that.

Years later, a plague spread throughout Blackpalli and people sought the intercession of Mother Mary. Miraculously, the plague disappeared and since then, the Mother has been referred to as Annai Arokiamarie (Our Lady of Good Health).

In June 1875, the construction of the present church began under Fr Kleiner and was consecrated on 8 September 1882 by Monsignor Joannes Maria Y Coadou, Vicar Apostolic of Mysore, in the presence of 35 priests and about 4,000 Catholics. All other parishes of Bangalore were born out of this one. And in 1973, St Mary’s Church became St Mary’s Basilica.

As it stands today, the basilica is 172-foot long and 50-foot broad, with a spire soaring 160-foot into the sky. Even the shrine outside the church draws in the devotees. Here, there is a 6-foot statue of Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. Everyday, Mother Mary is draped in a different saree, offered by devotees. Legend has it that in 1875, when the new Church was built, people tried to move the statue to the main Church but it wouldn’t budge.

At the entrance of the Shrine is another Statue of Our Lady. It is believed that when the church was attacked and destroyed in 1832, miscreants tried to pull it down but were struck blind and the statue was miraculously saved. For several years, even Muslims would join in the procession when this statue was taken out.

The festive period is between August 29 and September 8, the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Masses are held through the day and a flag is hoisted for the nine days and thousands throng the Basilica, many of them dressed in saffron.

In the evening, around 5pm, a grand car procession – a chariot carrying the statue of Mother Mary -- is carried through the streets of Shivajinagar.

Special Attributes

The oldest church in Bangalore that attracts people from all religions for its miraculous powers.

Nuisance

Pickpockets, beggars

Dressing restrictions

Dress in whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

It is located very close to the Shivajinagar bus terminus, which is well connected to the rest of the city. You also have the choice of getting there by auto or private taxis.

Enjoyed by

Religious-minded people and those with a sense of history

Exposure

Since you will be indoors most of the time, there is not much to worry about in terms of the weather.

Avoidable Season

Mass/service times (see website) when you will not be able to move freely within the church.

Facilities

Basic – there are washrooms but no restaurants within the church premises. There are a few in the Shivajinagar area though.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

Take care of your belongings, for the area is notorious for pickpockets who could be bold enough to enter the church too.

Type of site

Place of worship/Chruch