Bandra of my memories
I was born in 1957, and stayed at Kooka Villa at Bandstand. Stalwarts at St Stanislaus Masters Neffe, Donald, Aranha, Ms Nancy, Fathers Casale, Alieu and Maciel are all unforgettable. Unfortunately the times when you could walk at Bandstand and know/recognise everybody you met are long gone! The only areas that are reminiscent today are restricted to the small stretches of roads in Bandra Bazar, and the villages of Sherly, Rajan and Chimbai. Bhel and panipuri at Bandstand are no longer the same – remember the bora and “immly” that we got on the footpath outside St Stanislaus School. The chana/cholle and the sticky toffee are still unforgettable as are the “gola” with the ice cream flower on top – we never got ill with that stuff!! The usal and missal at the old Hindu Restaurant were delicious. Dinyar Gai Grimsby, Canada
— Dinyar Gai, December 8, 2009

where is my old bandra
i was born in bandra west , very close to mount mary church , there used to be many parsi bunglows over there back then and this people are very very kind and quiet , we were in 5 bunglows of tatas close to the church , there used to be a garden in front of our house , and in front of the garden there was a 14 floor building , there were not so many people there back then, there was so much of peace close to the church , i used to go to church every evening on my enfield, i miss those old days, i moved to canada 15 years ago , but every day of life goes thinking about those old days, those old bunglows, now i wanted to go back to bandra , close to mount mary church ,i think mother mary is calling me , but the problem is the house prices are so high , me and my family could not think of buying a house there in this life ,i would really like to go back in time and start my life all over again from there but it is not possible ,
— sandeep bhosle, April 23, 2008

I used to live in Bandra on Mt Mary Road. Loved this article and website. I am looking for an old friend Tanya D'souza who went to Appostolic Carmel Convent in 1985 and then moved to Canada - if anyone knows anything please let me know - Thanks
— zeenat sheikh, April 20, 2008

Hi, Your article and photographs are a fitting tribute to good old Bandra. I was was born in Bandra at the Holy Family Hospital and lived on B.J. Road, Bandstand until I married and moved to Dubai and subsequently to Canada. Your photographs bring back nostalgic memories. My grandmother lived opposite St. Andrew's Church and as children we rambled the lanes of Ranwar and Chimbai and knew every nook, corner and gully from Bandstand to St. Joseph's Convent where we studied and beyond up to S.V. Road. Despite living outside India for more than 30 years now, we visit as often as we can - there is no place like HOME because that is where the HEART is.
— Marian Jacob, October 21, 2007

No mention about Bandra Talao
Hi, I am Bandraite by birth, staying next the grand haritage of Bandra, i.e. Bandra Lake, I have not seen any historical informations about this lake in your article, please provide some informations. Secondly your article on Bandra is very informative congratulations for such an article.
— Salim Kazi, August 23, 2007

Pictures
As a former resident of mumbai, now in Canada, I would have to say the pictures brought back lots of good memories of being in mumbai, I miss all the festivals and drama, and noise and people.....memories that will last forever!
— Sangita Rao, December 10, 2006

Hi

Its a beautiful article. Although i am not a resident of Bandra, I come every week to Bandra. I have lot of faith in Mother Mary so once in a month visit Mount Mary.

Also bandra is famous for its various shops and old bakries. One of it is J.Hersch & Co. Its a very small bakery but very famous.

Thanks for wonderful article. I am really thankful to you.
— Gayatri, July 25, 2006

Bandra - My lovely Home
Dear All

Bandra is not only the Queen of Subarbs of Mumbai it is the Queen of all cities. So much life, so many memories. Thank you for the pictures. Today is 8th Sep 05 - Day on which the Mount Mary Mela starts. Atleast from far I could take the darshan.

Rukshana from Toronto Canada
— Rukshana Sarkari, September 8, 2005

Bandra... a state of mind
As a former resident of Bandra, now living in a bland and sterile burb in Mississauga, Canada, I do miss the theatre on the streets of Bandra. There was color, the streets were the stage, as you walked around, each section was the background that set the mood of the neighborhood. The vibrancy perked me up. The sound of pigs sqealing, the mouth-watering aroma of pork vindaloo wafting out of a bungalow in Chimbai village. The sound of children playing, the local hero on a new shiny cycle. The village drunk causing a mild amusement during the day, but a nightmare at night, a public spectacle requiring the intervention of well=meaning neighbors. It was the joy of seeing the procession of the faithful trudging up Mount Mary Church during the Bandra Fair, all dressed in their finery and carrying candles to offer up to Mother Mary. It was the Cross feasts in May, and eating boiled gram after.

Pradip Rodrigues
— pradip rodrigues, April 3, 2005

Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation
Hi, Thanks for the photos. They bring back fond memories of when I visited in Spring of 2000. I am from Seattle, Washington USA. I visited Sister Christobel and the Mother Teresa Roses at St. Andrews Church in Bandra.
— John Volk, December 15, 2004

Sir: You have made a big mistake by saying 'Pope Pius 12th visited India and on this occasion he elavated Mt.Mary Church as a Basilica' Please note that first ever Pope to visit India (Bombay) was Pope Paul 6th in 1964. Beside this, there are several other mistakes I notice. Therefore, please correct your article. Thank you. Simon Aranha, a Bandraite now on holidays in Canada.
— Simon Aranha, December 16, 2003

Hi, I'm from Bandra, but I've been working in Bangalore for the past few months. Its nice to have these photos to look at and pretend that I'm still there. Its also cool to show them to friends.

I am planning on taking a bunch of photos when I go back this December. I'll add another comment when I get them. Maybe you'd like to have them on your site.
— Rylan, November 24, 2003

as a long time resident of bandra, i really appreciate this effort and hope that more of us can contribute to making it a world class suburb!!!!
— anahita dalal, September 8, 2003

fantastic idea to have the website- need more pictures though. am in sydney and will add them myself once i am back

keep it up cheers
— siddharth sahgal, September 1, 2003

AMMCHI MUMBAI AMMCHI BANDRA
A good photographer. Hope one day u will photograph other parts of Bombay too. Rgds to u bye now.
— ANICHA, August 25, 2003

I appreciated very much your well chronicled article of Bandra. As excited I was to read and see the new Bandra, I am also deeply saddened to see the trasformation, from the old to the new, going back 54 years where I was born at Dr. Patkhas' Private nursing home- just before one got to Mehboob's studio.

Now residing in Canada for the past 34 years or so, I still reminisce of those images of Bandra, the Old, whether it was walking along the narrow lanes in the villages, or cycling up Pali Hill or a up Mount Mary's Hill with unobstructed view of the plains between. Many greetings to all those who are still there, that were.

Perhaps, what was not mentioned the fact that your religion didn't matter; a Catholic lived beside a Parsi, or a Jew or a Hindu or a Muslim family and we celebrated each others diversities with respect and brotherhood.

As the famous words of U.S. General Patton " I Shall return", someday to see for myself. Cheers! A former bandraite
— Len de Souza, February 5, 2003