Mary Matha festival from tomorrow in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: The three-day annual Mary Matha festival which is being organised for the last 62 years would start from February 9, according to Diocese Bishop Thelagathoti Joseph Raja Rao.

Addressing the media here on Friday, the Bishop said that the three-day festival attracts several lakhs of devotees from all over the country.

The road between the Eluru Road and shrine has been developed and widened up to 30 feet for the convenience of the pilgrims, he said. Separate routes have been formed for the pilgrims to climb the hill and for retuning as per the suggestions of the police department, he said.

There would be nine-day prayers from Bishop Thelagathoti Joseph Raja Rao and Monsignor Father Muvvala Prasad and other reverend fathers.

Chancellor Valae Joji Babu, Vicar general M Gabriel, Gundala matha shirne Rector Eleti William Jayaraj, Social service center director Pasala Thomas and other pastors were present on the occasion.