Built nearly five centuries ago during the Portuguese era, the church is a significant pilgrimage site

The feast and the fair, held on the same day, attract around hundreds of pilgrims from Mumbai and other parts of the country

Established in 1575 on the shores of Erangal, the sea-facing St Bonaventure Church has stood steadfast

This year, this historical church marks 450 years of existence, a major milestone that devotees are celebrating at the annual Erangal Feast on January 12

The feast, also known as Baravi Cha Sann (Festival of the 12th day, which celebrates the baptism of Baby Jesus) is famously hosted there on the second Sunday of January every year

In view of the large number of devotees attending the Erangal Fair, the BEST had announced additional bus services to ensure smooth travel

The BEST said that to manage the crowd during the fair several additional services will be running to and from Malad, Marve, Madh, Malvani and Borivli

The BEST had said that in total, 20 buses will operate in the morning and 37 buses in the evening, starting from 6 am. Depending on the passenger demand, more buses will be added if necessary

A BEST statement had on Thursday said that to assist passengers, traffic officers, bus inspectors, and security personnel will be stationed at key locations, including Malad West Station, Marve Beach, Madh Jetty, Erangal, Bhati Village, and Malvani Depot

The church, constructed with stone and lime mortar, features a marble plaque that outlines its rich history. Visitors from Mumbai can reach the church by taking a ferry from Versova to Madh