A Religious Melting Pot

The second assignment given to us was to cover three different places of worship in Bombay.

Our first stop of the day was St. Michael’s church, also known as Mahim Church.

St. Michael's Church, Mahim (click to enlarge)

The church, located on Mahim Causeway, is one of the oldest Catholic churches in India. Originally built in 1534, the church was razed down and rebuilt a number of times under the rules of the Portuguese and the British. The present structure was built in 1973.

We were greeted at the entrance by the following message:

(click to enlarge)

The church has a calming presence once you enter the hall. Since we went on a Friday, there weren’t many people inside. We were informed that the church follows weekly Novena services on Wednesdays. Devotees believe that attending mass for nine consecutive Wednesdays will grant their wishes.

Inside the church (click to enlarge)

St. Michael’s parish prays to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and has a picture of the original painting featuring the Virgin Mary holding a young Christ in her arms.

Explanation of the picture (click to enlarge)

The picture belongs to the 15th century and is characterized by the symbols of the passion and the austere features of Virgin Mary and the Child. Around the crowned head of Mary are the words "Mother of God". 

On both sides are the two archangels Michael and Gabriel with their respective names inscribed above their head and holding the instruments of the Passion— St. Michael holding the spear and the sponge; and St.Gabriel, the Cross. 

At the sight of the Cross, the Child Jesus is stuck by fear. His feet strike each other and knock off a sandal from this foot. The features of the Virgin Mary convey a message of hope and an assurance of help to all those who, in identical circumstances, will appeal to her for help.

The church, on Friday, was presided over by Father Joel Mascarenhas, a Jesuit of St. Xavier’s church. Father Joel was deputizing for the resident Father who was away for the day.

Father Joel said that he has done a B.A. in Psychology from Xavier’s and has also done an M.S. in Pastoral Counselling from the United States.

Although his family is originally from Goa, Father Joel was born and brought up in Bombay. He preaches at the church at St. Xavier’s College.

From the soothing interiors of St. Michael’s church, we walked a few paces down Mahim Causeway to the crowded Maqdoom Shah Baba Dargah. 

The Maqdoom Shah Baba Dargah from a distance (click to enlarge)

Being Jum’at-ul-Vida, or the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, the dargah was bustling with activity. Devotees were coming in to offer their afternoon namaz in flocks.

The entrance to the dargah (click to enlarge)

As we had arrived just ten minutes before the stipulated time for namaz, many devotees refused to speak to us. 

A young man present near the dargah finally agreed to have a quick word. His name was Mohammad Hussein and he was 23 years old. He works as a help at a small florist right outside the dargah and earns around Rs. 200 per day.

Some of the visitors of the dargah weren’t even Muslims. 

Sushmita Panda, an 18-year-old Brahmin from Orissa, is a regular visitor of the dargah. Panda said that she is a resident of Wadala and studies at the SIWS College of Science and Commerce. She often comes to the dargah to seek blessings.

After grabbing a quick lunch (most of the places were shut due to namaz) nearby, we caught a bus to Dadar to take us to the Siddhivinayak temple.

The Siddhivinayak temple was originally built as a tiny place of worship for Lord Ganesha in the early 19th century, but has evolved into the magnificent structure that stands today.

Siddhivinayak Temple (click to enlarge)

It is one of the richest and most popular temples of Mumbai. Many a politician and filmstar have come here to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha, and continue to do so.

However, we were amazed by the commercialization of the area in and around the temple.

Small shops have been set up inside the main gate, that sell garlands and sweets to offer as prasad to the Lord. These shops also offer to guard the devotees’ footwear, although the temple has its own foot locker area. The shops have hired helps who are aggressive in their approach to devotees and almost grab you into their respective shops if you’re not careful.

Inside the temple, there are policemen and security guards who monitor the line of devotees into the small mandap and are vocal with their displeasure if you take too long to complete your prayer and rituals.

This was the state at the temple on a normal day. We could only imagine the atmosphere once the festival of Ganesha begins shortly.