Since its inception in the 18th century, the Cross located in Bandra’s Malla village, has served as a congregation point for people of different faiths — especially during the season of Lent—when groups gather here to pray on three auspicious days i.e. Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (before Easter Sunday). However, in recent years, it is 57-year-old Michele Lawrence’s tradition that binds everyone in Malla during Lent and Easter. For the past five years, Lawrence has been decorating the Malla Cross with fresh palms and a red cloth on Palm Sunday, which serves as a reminder to everyone passing of the Holy Week of Lent. 

Michele Lawrence decorates the Cross on each of the Tridom days (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday-Easter Sunday). Pics/Atul Kamble