AsiaNews: Hindu nationalist BJP leader LK Advani prays at Marian shrine

Advani, who was educated at a Catholic high school, said "Since I have links with the community, I feel happy coming here, meeting the priests here, participating in the prayers and getting the Blessings."

Shri L.K. Advani, a former leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJ), a Hindu nationalist party, visited the Marian shrine at Mount Mary's Basilica in Bandra, Mumbai, where he placed a garland of red flowers and two candles at the foot of the main altar below the statue of Our Lady. Out of reverence and devotion, he prayed for a few minutes. Along with the Basilica’s Vice Rector, Fr Aniceto Pereira, he recited the Memorae. Fr Pereira gave him as a gift a book on the history of the shrine written by Mgr Francis Correia.

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The Marian shrine in Bandra is a place of harmony and interfaith dialogue because the Virgin draws people of all creeds.

Statue of Mother Mary at Mount Mary Church, Bandra.