Good Friday 2025 | Mumbai, also known as the city of dreams, is a bustling metropolitan that attracts people from all over the country. From its film city to old Parsi and colonial houses, beaches, museums and classical architecture, the city is a goldmine for heritage and cultural exploration.
The churches of Mumbai are age-old witnesses to the city's ever-changing architectural tapestry. They stand serene, vastly different from the surrounding glass-and-steel skyscrapers, chaotic bazaars, and busy roads, as they hold together a world tethered in preservation and deep belief.
Dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle, who is considered to be the first to have brought Christianity to India, the cathedral has been awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award. Its clock tower, Gothic-style flying buttresses, and Victorian stained-glass windows put it in the same group as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. When it was built, the cathedral's importance was such that it was the Zero Point milestone from where distances in Mumbai were measured.
How to get there: To reach the cathedral, visitors can take the Mumbai Suburban Railway to Churchgate or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), both within walking distance.
Best time to visit: Go during the cooler months from November to February, with February being particularly pleasant due to the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, which hosts events in nearby venues including Horniman Circle Gardens.
Nearby places to visit: This includes places like Horniman Circle Gardens, a 2.5-acre park surrounded by colonial-era buildings; the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, known for its grand architecture and library; and Flora Fountain, a historic landmark located at the former site of Churchgate, one of the gates of the old Bombay Fort. These sites offer a glimpse into Mumbai's rich colonial history and are easily accessible on foot from the cathedral.
Rebuilt in the 1970s by famed architect Charles Correa and with a skylight in the baptistery by MF Hussain, the Church of Our Lady of Salvation is popularly referred to as the Portuguese Church. With an appearance unlike the other Gothic church structures, it is referenced regularly by Mumbaikars when giving road directions. It is also one of the oldest churches in Mumbai and was originally built in 1596 by the Portuguese Franciscans, who named it Nossa Senhora da Salva
How to get there: To reach the church, visitors can take the Western or Central line trains to Dadar station, from where it's a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride.
Best time to visit: November to February is considered an ideal time weather wise. Attending a Sunday Mass, especially the 9:30 am service, offers a spiritual experience.
Nearby places to visit: This includes Shivaji Park, a significant public space in Mumbai; the Siddhivinayak Temple, one of the city's most revered Hindu temples; and the Prabhadevi beach area, offering a peaceful seaside experience. These sites are easily accessible from the church, making it convenient to explore Dadar's cultural and spiritual landmarks.
Well-known for its Christmas mass and Novena services, St Michael's Church is among India's oldest churches. It is believed that if you attend nine Novena services here, your wishes shall come true. Devotees of all faiths attend the service. The church may be one of the only surviving Portuguese buildings in the city, even though traces of that would be under the numerous maintenance and renovations undertaken by the church authorities.
How to get there: Located at the intersection of Lady Jamshedji Road and Mahim Causeway, it is easily accessible via Mahim Railway Station, approximately one km away, or by various BEST buses that stop at the nearby Mahim Bus Depot.
Best time to visit: The best times to visit are during these Wednesday services or Christmas when the church is beautifully decorated. The church is also renowned for its Wednesday Novena services dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, attracting devotees of all faiths who believe attending nine consecutive Wednesdays can fulfil their wishes.
Nearby places to visit: The Mahim Dargah, Mahim Fort, and the scenic Bandra-Worli Sea Link, offering visitors a blend of spiritual and cultural experiences in the heart of Mumbai.
Once upon a time a minor basilica, Mount Mary church, has since transformed into an awe-inspiring semi-Gothic structure. The imposing facade is 67.5 ft broad, with four floors. On the third floor is the year of the inauguration of the new basilica, Anno Jubilaei 1904. Today, the crosses of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, on Pali Hill, Bandra, are visible from afar in Mumbai. Popularly known as the Mount Mary church, it is more than 100 years old. While it brings in the faithful every day, on September 8 each year, the birthday of Mother Mary, celebrated as the Feast of Our Lady, another 300-year-old tradition of gathering is brought back to life.
How to get there: To reach the basilica, visitors can take a local train to Bandra Station and proceed via BEST or opt for a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride. The church is approximately three km from Bandra Station, making it easily accessible for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during the Bandra Fair in September, which coincides with the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This week-long celebration transforms the area into a hub of festivities, featuring food stalls, games, and religious processions.
Places to visit nearby: Visitors can explore nearby places such as Bandstand Promenade, known for its scenic coastal views; Linking Road, a bustling shopping destination; and the historic Bandra Fort, offering a glimpse into Mumbai's colonial past.
This story was first published on July 31, 2023; and it has since been updated.
