Gunadala Mary Matha Shrine

Gunadala Mary Matha Shrine is a prominent Roman Catholic shrine located on Gunadala Hill in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, it is one of the most visited Christian pilgrimage centres in South India. Established in the 1920s and developed into its present church in 1971, the shrine is known for its hilltop setting, annual February feast, and panoramic views of Vijayawada city.

Visitors can expect a hilltop church complex accessed by steps and a ghat road, with a main shrine church, statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, grotto, iron cross on the hilltop, and prayer halls. The surroundings include landscaped grounds, candle-lighting areas, and stalls selling religious articles. The site offers city views, a peaceful prayer environment, and opportunities to attend Mass and observe pilgrim activities.

The shrine traces its origin to 1924 when Italian missionary Fr. Arlati installed a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes on Gunadala Hill after the establishment of St. Mary's Orphanage. Devotion grew after reported favours attributed to the intercession of Mary. A small chapel was built and later expanded, with the present spacious church constructed and consecrated in 1971 to accommodate growing pilgrim numbers, becoming a diocesan shrine of the Vijayawada Diocese.

The shrine is a major Catholic pilgrimage centre in Andhra Pradesh and South India, revered as Gunadala Matha. It serves as a centre for Christian devotion, community gatherings and inter-religious visits. The annual feast from 9th to 11th February is a significant cultural and religious event with special Masses, processions and prayers attended by pilgrims from across the state.