Mt Mary restoration lends new charm to historic basilica

MUMBAI: A breathtaking view has emerged of Mt Mary Basilica in Bandra after a two-year long restoration was completed this week. The beautiful shrine dedicated to Mother Mary will be formally inaugurated in its new avatar in October.Fr Vernon Aguiar, rector of Mt Mary, said, "We have finished all the main work like waterproofing the roof, redoing the interiors, windows and woodwork -- and that is where we changed the colour. We went back to brown from blue, because of the the woodwork. We have upgraded the lights, electrical fittings and acoustics. And we have completed on schedule."Vice rector Fr Sunder Albuquerque said, "Archbishop John Rodrigues [former rector of the Basilica] had initiated the task, and we continued and completed it. We are raising funds now, in fact, because we have spent a lot to also install infrastructure like washrooms, ramps, and platforms for food courts for the pilgrims, where they can sit and eat their meals beneath the trees. I am so pleased with the outcome."

The restoration was conducted by conservation architects David Cardoz and Ainsley Lewis.