Explore Bandra's Heritage, Villages, and Seafront
- Meet your tour guide at St. Andrew's Church and sightsee the following highlights of Mumbai:
- St. Andrew's Church - St. Andrew's Church is one of the oldest churches in Mumbai. It was originally built by Portuguese Jesuits in 1575. It stands on the seashore of the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and was the only church there until the first quarter of the 17th century.
- The historic villages - The Bandra of yesteryear was a tiny fishing village inhabited by Kolis (fishermen) and farmers. It was acquired by the British East India Company, while the rest of Bombay belonged to the Portuguese.
- Ranwar Village - Ranwar is one of the original 24 pakhadis, or villages, that made up Bandra. When the British took Bombay away from the Portuguese in 1661, they did not obtain control immediately.
- Chimbai - Unlike its fortunate brother Ranwar, this village is far from the development or artsy scene Bandra is famous for. Although it is in the vicinity of Bandstand, with its posh bungalows and high-rise buildings, this village is unkempt and uncared for. The few original inhabitants of Bandra, or Mumbai in general, the Koli community (Chimbaikars), can still be found here.
Trace Bandra's heritage. One of the defining characteristics of Bandra West is its pervasive Portuguese heritage. Bandra was settled by the Portuguese in 1534 when it was a simple fishing village, and it remained part of their territory even after the Bombay Islands were transferred to the British in 1661. During their occupation of the area, the Portuguese built many churches and converted thousands of locals to Catholicism.
Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, more commonly known as Mount Mary Church. It is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Bandra, Mumbai. The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated here on the first Sunday after 8 September, the birthday of the Virgin Mary.
See Bandra Fort and Bandstand. Tucked away on the tip of Bandra West are the remains of a 17th-century fort that was built by the Portuguese as a watchtower. It was strategically located to look out over Mahim Bay, but now provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the landmark Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge.
