The Mount Mary Basilica bears a fresh new look following its restoration. The blue and cream colour story have been replaced by the warm wood tones of the restored Burma teak ceiling, columns and doors and windows. Another highlight is the restored canvas painting of Mary, Queen of Heaven, now hanging over the sanctuary

The inner sanctum and Mother Mary’s statue have been painstakingly restored by Vasai’s Sequeira Brothers

Before: The doors and windows no longer bear the cheerful blue (seen on the left) long associated with Mount Mary. Pic/mid-day archives;

After: They are now polished to reveal the beautiful grain of Burma teak 

While the current structure is 121 years old, Mount Mary itself has been in existence for 450 years. Due to damage over time and expanding needs of the congregation, the church was rebuilt thrice. The construction and restoration of the present semi-Gothic structure of the basilica was started in May 1902. It is a four-storey structure around 65 feet broad with deep rock-rooted foundations. This structure was influenced by European gothic church architecture

There are two new additions launching in time for the Bandra Fair: a restored cottage on church premises where pilgrims from far-off states can find lodging, and a new sound and light show telling the story of Mary and Jesus with life-sized sculptural scenes. The sound and light exhibit is located right across the street from the Basilica