Matmauli pilgrimage starts today

The annual feast of Mount Mary, held at Bandra in Mumbai on September 8, is the largest congregation of the Christian community living in the urban areas of the State. The Harigaon yatra, on the other hand, is the largest assembly of the Marathi-speaking Christians in the State. Christianity in western Maharashtra is over 140 years old. The golden jubilee anniversary celebrations of the Matmauli yatra were held last year.

The yatra of Matmauli or Blessed Virgin Mary was started on September 8, 1948 by Fr. Jerald Badar, a German Jesuit who was the then parish priest at Harigaon village. He had started the yatra for the convenience of poor Christians i who could not afford to attend the Mount Mary feast celebrations at Bandra. This yatra has become one of the most important events for Christians. Fr. Badar died 18 months ago at the ripe age of 94. The main event will be the mass concelebrated by Bishop of Nashik Thomas Bhalerao and over 100 priests on the evening of September 18.