The charms of East Indian community churches in coastal villages from Madh to Bainel
East Indian community traces its roots to the 15th -16th century when the Portuguese took control over Salsette island and the seven islands of Bombay. From the first arrival of the Portuguese on Indian shores in 1498 and on Bombay shores in 1509, they encouraged intermarriages with local inhabitants. Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits spearheaded the evangelization of the local community and built churches and monasteries. From Bandra to Vasai, the Bombay coastline is dotted with small fishing villages which had come under Portuguese influence and today are dominated by East Indian Christians though other communities like Kunbi, Agri, Bhandari community who were also the original inhabitants do reside in these villages. The influence of the Portuguese can be still in architecture, cuisines, language as well as churches. I have been fascinated with old churches, village square cross as well as grottos that we see in villages where East Indian communities reside. For this particular post,