What to expect
Highlights
- Gothic architecture, stained glass and a tall spire.
- Its status as one of India’s few minor basilicas.
- The September St Mary’s Feast and procession.
St. Mary's Basilica
St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar is the oldest church in Bengaluru, tracing its origins to a small chapel of the 1810s that grew into a grand Gothic-style church in the 1870s. In 1973 it was raised to a minor basilica, one of only a handful in India.
Practical guide
Plan St. Mary's Basilica
Typechurch
Nearest baseCentral Bengaluru
Best timeOctober to February for a quiet visit
Time needed30 minutes
EntryFree
Nearest town/baseCentral Bengaluru
DistrictBengaluru Urban
Place typechurch
Time needed30 minutes.
St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar is the oldest church in Bengaluru, tracing its origins to a small chapel of the 1810s that grew into a grand Gothic-style church in the 1870s. In 1973 it was raised to a minor basilica, one of only a handful in India.
The church is known for its slender spire, stained-glass windows and colonnaded interior, and above all for the St Mary’s Feast each September, when a great procession and nine-day festival draw enormous crowds of many faiths.
Visiting
St. Mary's Basilica — at a glance
Timings6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (outside Mass times)
Best timeOctober to February; feast in September
Entry: Free
Getting here
How to reach St. Mary's Basilica
Shivajinagar, near Commercial Street; MG Road metro (Purple Line)
City’s oldest church and a minor basilica; St Mary’s Feast in September.
Getting there
How to visit
- In Shivajinagar near Commercial Street; autos, buses and MG Road metro (Purple Line) are close.
- Open to visitors outside Mass times; the September feast is spectacular but extremely crowded.
Distance by road
- Mysuru145 km
- Chennai350 km
- Hyderabad570 km
- Mangaluru350 km
- Coimbatore365 km
Road km to Bengaluru Urban; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February for a quiet visit; the St Mary’s Feast is in September.
Weather in St. Mary's BasilicaSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
- Free entry; a working church — dress modestly and keep quiet during services.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where St. Mary's Basilica is
Photos
St. Mary's Basilica in pictures
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St. Mary's Basilica — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit St. Mary's Basilica?
October to February for a quiet visit; the St Mary’s Feast is in September.
What are the entry fee and timings at St. Mary's Basilica?
Entry: Free. Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (outside Mass times). Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach St. Mary's Basilica?
In Shivajinagar near Commercial Street; autos, buses and MG Road metro (Purple Line) are close. Open to visitors outside Mass times; the September feast is spectacular but extremely crowded.
How much time do I need for St. Mary's Basilica?
30 minutes.
What else is near St. Mary's Basilica?
Nearby you can pair Jumma Masjid (280 m), Commercial Street (540 m), St. Mark's Cathedral (1.0 km), Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (1.3 km).
Read next
More stories, legends & guides from Bengaluru Urban
Image credits
- St. Mary's Basilica:Tinucherian (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0