Saturday, September 18, 1999
Indian Express
Matmauli pilgrimage starts today
Matmauli pilgrimage starts today
Camil Parkhe
PUNE, Sept 17: Preparations are in full swing for theannual yatra of Matmauli which will be held at Harigaon inShrirampur taluka of Ahmednagar district on September 18and 19. Over a lakh Christians from different parts ofMaharashtra are expected to assemble at the pilgrim centre,described as the Pandharpur of the Marathi-speakingChristians in the state.The feast celebrations are organised every year tocommemorate the birthday of Mother Mary which falls onSeptember 8. For the convenience of outstation pilgrims,the yatra is held on the Saturday and Sunday succeedingSeptember 8. This year, the yatra was postponed by a weekon account of polling on September 11.
The annual feast of Mount Mary, held at Bandra in Mumbaion September 8, is the largest congregation of the Christiancommunity living in the urban areas of the State. TheHarigaon yatra, on the other hand, is the largest assembly ofthe Marathi-speaking Christians in the State. Christianity inwestern Maharashtra is over 140 years old. The goldenjubilee anniversary celebrations of the Matmauli yatra wereheld last year.The yatra of Matmauli or Blessed Virgin Mary was startedon September 8, 1948 by Fr. Gerhard Baader, a German Jesuit who was the then parish priest at Harigaon village. He hadstarted the yatra for the convenience of poor Christians iwho could not afford to attend the Mount Mary feast celebrations at Bandra. This yatra has become one of themost important events for Christians. Fr. Baader died 18months ago at the ripe age of 94. The main event will be themass concelebrated by Bishop of Nashik Thomas Bhaleraoand over 100 priests on the evening of September 18
The annual feast of Mount Mary, held at Bandra in Mumbaion September 8, is the largest congregation of the Christiancommunity living in the urban areas of the State. TheHarigaon yatra, on the other hand, is the largest assembly ofthe Marathi-speaking Christians in the State. Christianity inwestern Maharashtra is over 140 years old. The goldenjubilee anniversary celebrations of the Matmauli yatra wereheld last year.The yatra of Matmauli or Blessed Virgin Mary was startedon September 8, 1948 by Fr. Gerhard Baader, a German Jesuit who was the then parish priest at Harigaon village. He hadstarted the yatra for the convenience of poor Christians iwho could not afford to attend the Mount Mary feast celebrations at Bandra. This yatra has become one of themost important events for Christians. Fr. Baader died 18months ago at the ripe age of 94. The main event will be themass concelebrated by Bishop of Nashik Thomas Bhaleraoand over 100 priests on the evening of September 18
