As the festival at Mount Mary Church in Bandra opened on Sunday, Malaika “Munni' Arora Khan was amongst the multitude of followers who thronged the church, reports DNA.
“I am a firm believer in Mount Mary Church, and though it's difficult to attend the fair now, I do attend the church during the week unfailingly every year. In fact, I feel incomplete without making my rounds here and I try to come as often as I can,” says Malaika, who has been visiting the fair for as long as she can remember now.
“This place holds a special place in my heart and I see myself drawn to this church whenever I feel the need to connect with myself. ‘Whether it's to seek answers or just the need to sort out my thoughts and feelings, the place has a great emotional and spiritual connect and it never fails to bring peace and calm me down.
‘And yes, I do believe in its powers and have the faith that it can indeed bring about miracles,” she tells us.“I love coming here with Arhaan and Arbaz too. Arhaan loves lighting the candles here.”
“The fair,” adds Malaika, “brings back fond childhood memories.” Recalling some of them, she says, “Mom used to bring both Amu (sister Amrita) and me to the fair every year and it used to be a grand celebration that we would all look forward to. We would be dressed in our best, and that alone was very exciting.”Malaika also recalls participating in the sports and other fun activities that would be organised at the fair.
“I do miss out on having all that fun now!” she rues with a smile. Malaika does feel that things have now become a lot more commercialized. “However, that does nothing to diminish its charm, beauty or fun. And it continues to draw its faithful,” she says, before turning to light the candles and say a silent prayer.
