BANGALORE: A sea of humanity turned up around St. Mary's Basilica in Shivajinagar on Wednesday to participate in the car festival that marks the Nativity of Mary (St. Mary's feast).
Thousands of saffron-robed devotees thronged the basilica and the surrounding streets to be part of the car procession and the holy mass. The car procession follows the nine-day novena that ended on Tuesday.
Traffic restrictions forced motorists to park their vehicles at a distance of more than half a kilometre away from the place of worship. Yet, it did not deter them from walking to the church to pray and witness the car festival. Evening showers did not dampen the festive atmosphere preceding the grand procession.
The procession comprising a six-foot statue of Mother Mary carrying infant Jesus in her arm begins from the basilica with the blessings of Archbishop Rev. Bernard Moras before proceeding to Shivaji Circle and turning towards Broadway along Elgin cinema. Later, the procession passed by Russell Market before returning to the basilica.
At many junctions along the route of the procession, many statues of Mother Mary were placed by different groups
The chariot stops at most statues allowing the devotees to offer their prayers. Devotees distribute food items among the people gathered to watch the procession as a thanksgiving. The devotees showered flowers on the chariot as it passed by. The chariot would be on display on the basilica on Thursday.
Those selling flowers, candles, toys, balloons and other accessories were found all over Shivajinagar.
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