India GOSt Mary's Basilica, Bangalore: Mass timings, history and the September feast
St Mary's Basilica in Shivajinagar is one of Bangalore's oldest churches and the first in Karnataka to be raised to a minor basilica, in 1973. Entry is free. Mass is said several times a day in Tamil, Kannada and English, with Konkani and Malayalam on Saturdays; the full schedule from the parish is below.
Karnataka's only minor basilica, raised to that rank in 1973, and one of the city's oldest churches: a 17th-century chapel that grew into the Gothic building completed in 1882, with tall arches and stained glass that colours the floor by late morning. The St. Mary's Feast around 8 September, following a nine-day novena, draws hundreds of thousands from across communities, not only Catholics. Russell Market stands beside it, so a Shivajinagar walk takes in both. Free to enter.
The state's grandest church, and every September one of the city's largest shared festivals
St Mary's Basilica Mass timings
The parish publishes this schedule. The church has no separate visiting hours or ticket; come outside Mass times if you want to look around quietly.
Monday to Friday
- 6.15 am English
- 7 am Tamil
- 9 am Kannada
- 11 am Tamil
- 6 pm: Tamil on Monday, Tuesday and Friday; Kannada on Wednesday; English on Thursday
Saturday
- 6 am English, 7 am Tamil, 9 am Kannada, 10 am English, 11 am Tamil
- 4 pm Konkani, 5 pm Malayalam, 6 pm Tamil
Sunday
- 6 am English, 7 am Tamil, 8 am Tamil, 9.15 am Kannada, 11 am Tamil
- 6 pm English
History: from a thatched chapel to a Gothic basilica
The church began in the 17th century as a thatched chapel built by Tamil Christian settlers from Gingee, in a village known as Bili Akki Palli, later Blackpally, the area now called Shivajinagar. In 1803 the French priest Jean-Antoine Dubois built a new thatched chapel here, enlarged in 1811 and 1813.
After that building was destroyed in riots in 1832, the present church was built between 1856 and 1882 and consecrated on 8 September 1882. It is Gothic: pointed arches on columns with Corinthian capitals, tall spires visible from a distance, and stained-glass windows, which were taken out during the Second World War and restored in 1947. Pope Paul VI raised it to a minor basilica in 1973.
St Mary's Feast in September
The feast of the birth of Mary on 8 September is the basilica's main event and one of the largest shared festivals in Bangalore, drawing people of every faith, not only Catholics. It opens with the hoisting of a flag, followed by a nine-day novena ending on 7 September, with Mass in several languages. On the feast day a decorated chariot with the image of Mary is drawn through the surrounding streets.
If you want to see the feast, expect very large crowds in Shivajinagar on 8 September. For a quiet visit, any other weekday between Masses works.
How to get there and what is nearby
The basilica stands on Msgr. F. Noronha Road in Shivajinagar, central Bangalore. Russell Market is right beside it, so the two make one walk. Inside, the church is an active parish: keep your voice down, and if a Mass is on, sit at the back or wait outside rather than walking around and photographing.
❓ FAQ
Why is St. Mary's Basilica famous?
It is one of Bangalore's oldest churches, the first in Karnataka raised to a minor basilica (1973), and the centre of the city-wide St Mary's Feast on 8 September.
Is it free to enter St. Mary's Basilica?
Yes, entry is free.
What are the Mass timings at St. Mary's Basilica?
On weekdays Mass is at 6.15, 7, 9 and 11 am and 6 pm; on Sundays at 6, 7, 8, 9.15 and 11 am and 6 pm. Languages vary by Mass; see the table above.
When was St. Mary's Basilica built?
The present Gothic church was built between 1856 and 1882 and consecrated on 8 September 1882, on the site of a 17th-century chapel.
When is the St. Mary's Basilica feast?
Every year on 8 September, after a flag hoisting and a nine-day novena that ends on 7 September.