There are over 30 million Christians in India, with about 3 million living in Mumbai. A majority of the Mumbai Christians are Catholics, though there are other denominations like Syrian Church, Armenian Church and Anglican Church. Most of the Indian Christians were converted by the Portuguese.
Like everywhere else in the world, the Christian community fasts on Good Friday, which is also the day Lent finishes. People gather in churches all over Mumbai and start the ceremony by kissing a plank of wood depicted as the cross of Christ. They perform a three-hour service, starting at 3pm, which is said to be the time at which Christ died. On Good Friday, the bells of the church remain silent.
One of Mumbai’s most famous churches is Mount Mary Church, considered to be the oldest. Located in Bandra, it was built initially around 1640.
Another famous church is the Afghan church in Colaba.
Good Friday is a government holiday. Most schools are closed on this day, though many businesses stay open.
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