Gunadala's hill top shrine in preparation for three-day feast

The three-day annual Mary Matha’s feast at the holy shrine atop Gunadala hill is all set to begin from February 9. The Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada has made elaborate arrangements to cater to the more than 15 lakh pilgrims that are expected to visit the shrine to offer prayers.

Addressing a press conference here at Social Service Centre on Tuesday, Rector of the Shrine Fr M Chinnappa said that the nine-day special prayers ahead of the feast have begun from January 31 that marks the feast of Gunadala shrine.

The organising committee has ensured that all essential infrastructures to tackle the crowd and cater to their needs are met. Elaborating on the arrangements, he said that with an amount of Rs 35 lakh, separate rest room facilities have been set up as temporary establishments for men and women.

The number of tokens to provide free food during the days shall be increased on first come first serve basis to the pilgrims. Shelters for the devotees were built and a cloak room has been set up. As many as 8 CCTV cameras were fixed at the compound and on the shrine to look into the surveillance system, he said.

We are expecting more than 15 lakh devotees to visit this year’s Mary Matha feast. APSRTC has already approved for running special buses for the festive pilgrims coming from various districts and States. It has been observed that faithful from Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka visit the holy shrine to offer special prayers to Mother Mary, added Fr Chinnappa.

Social Service Centre Executive Director Prasad Muvvala, Nellore Bishop Rev Fr Govindu Joji and others spoke on the occasion. They described the various cultural and religious programmes that would be organised throughout the feast by the people from other Diocese and congregations.

Meanwhile, the newly elect Bishop of Vijayawada Diocese Rev Fr T Joseph Rajarao speaking to the media said that he would be consecrated as Bishop of the region in a holy mass and ceremony that will be held at Gunadala Church on Tuesday.

“I take this as a privilege and I’m happy to be back in my own place after 30 years. Relationship with one another and that of God is what I would emphasise on and would work relentlessly to live by the God’s will,” he said.

The event will be telecasted live on websites and other local media from 4 pm. Vijayawada Diocese Chancellor Fr John Raju, Fr of N David Raju and others were present.