Standing at the crossroads

MUMBAI: They stand at street corners and at junctions, silent sentinels to a past in which they brought solace and protection to those who chose to bow before them.
These are the numerous crosses which dot the landscape and which are even today held in reverence by the Catholic community.
Crosses began to appear in Mumbai over 350 years ago when the Portuguese crown still ruled the city.The local villagers who had adopted Christianity decided to put up crosses in their villages to ward off evil and use it as a sign for their new -found religion.
Bandra history buff, Major Leon Fonseca, points out that several crosses came up in the suburbs as local Christian villagers decided to seek divine intervention in warding off plague in the1800's.
Fr Larry Pereira, Parish priest of the Catholic Church at Orlem, Malad, and also a local historian says there is a misconception that most crosses were instituted to ward of plague. In most of the villages inhabited by local Christians (East Indians) there was a cross at each of the two entrances and one at the village centre. "I have seen this pattern in many villages which I visited as a boy," he said.
The total number of crosses across the city and suburbs is unknown. Godfrey Pimenta, vice president of the Mumbai East Indian Association, who was involved in protecting the crosses in court in 2003, has a rough estimate. There will be about 150 crosses from Bandra to Borivli.
There are many stories attached to the crosses in the suburbs. There are tales of favours granted and successful intercessions. In the weeks preceding the season of Lent, the crosses are visited at night by groups of penitent singers (papiyas) who sing songs of remorse accompanied by wooden rattles.
Fr Larry rues the fact that the heritage value of the crosses are often ignored by people. The crosses are worked on and sometimes changed drastically in the process of renovation. "During the month of May, which is dedicated to prayers at the cross, most wear a festive look and every evening hymns are sung followed by snacks in most of the villages," said Fr Larry. This tradition continues.