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256:, is a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site attracting approximately 10 lakh devotees during its annual festival. The site features a church, a grotto, and the stations of the Cross along the hill leading to the 18-foot-high holy cross erected at the hill's summit. It is considered the second biggest worship place of
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On June 24, 1924, the St. Joseph's orphanage was officially inaugurated, and Fr. Arlati installed a small statue of Our Lady of
Lourdes (Mother Mary) in a natural grotto on the slopes of Gunadala hill the same year. In 1937, the Diocesan festival started. During that year, Fr .Arlati put a new statue
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The development of
Gunadala, particularly the Mary Matha Shrine, is credited to the efforts of Catholic priest Huges Pezzoni. Starting with the establishment of an orphanage, Fr. Pezzoni laid the foundation for several Catholic institutions in Gunadala. According to the history chronicled by Fr. John
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Many people come here to offer their hair as a symbol of their faith. They also break coconuts at the shrine. In addition to
Christians, a significant number of individuals from various religious backgrounds also visit this location, believed to possess healing properties. Numerous worshippers attend
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To improve accessibility, they widened the pathway, deepened the Grotto, and leveled the ground in front of it. Despite the challenges, dedicated individuals like
Monsignor A. Bianchi, the Vicar General, Reverend Brother Bertoli, and Reverend Brother Cripp worked tirelessly and patiently to complete
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During the festival, pilgrims visit the Mary Matha Church at the base of the hill and ascend on foot to pay their respects to the statue of Our Lady of
Lourdes consecrated in 1925 within a grotto midway up the hill. Additionally, devotees offer prayers at the 18-foot-high holy cross erected at the
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Situated amidst a cluster of hillocks, Gunadala stands as the tallest hillock in the city, offering a unique topographical feature within the otherwise flat terrain. Roughly one-third of the hill's slopes are occupied by dwellings, distinguishing it from other smaller hills like
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Leoncini of the
Vijayawada Catholic Diocese, Fr. Pezzoni acquired a 25-acre area through donations and purchases in 1923. The first manager of Gunadala Catholic Institutions, Fr. P Arlati, overcame numerous challenges to clear the land.
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in the Grotto, which is in the middle of the hill. This marked the beginning of the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of
Lourdes, which was moved to September 8 every year. They also built an altar in front of the niche for
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these renovations. In 1947, after
Monsignor Bianchi returned to Italy, Brother Bertoli continued the work. Due to issues caused by September rains for pilgrims, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was moved to February 11.
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The
Gunadala Mary Matha festival takes place on February 9, 10 and 11 each year, becoming a significant event as devotees come not only from all corners of the state but from the neighboring
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hill's summit. The festival will also feature prayers and cultural programs at the nearby Bishop Grassi High School ground.
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the festival with their infants, seeking blessings from the Mother.
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654:"Gunadala shrine to be developed on a par with Velankanni church"
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474:"Gunadala Mary Matha fete off on a grand note in Vijayawada"
386:"Gunadala Mary Matha fete off on a grand note in Vijayawada"
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Rf. Arlati (Rector of St. Joseph's Orphanage, Gunadala)
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452:"Thousands have darshan of Gunadala Mary Matha"
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620:"Grand start to Gunadala Mary Matha fete"
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313:, and stretches along Eluru Road to the
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1024:Buildings and structures in Vijayawada
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499:"Gunadala, a place steeped in history"
29:Our Lady of Lourdes, Mary Matha Church
565:Bureau, The Hindu (9 February 2023).
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910:Vijayawada Junction railway station
884:Vijayawada Bus Rapid Transit System
262:Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
707:jangir, suresh (2 November 2014).
121:https://gunadalamathaofficial.com/
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801:Vijayawada Municipal Corporation
531:Boda, Tharun (7 February 2023).
889:Vijayawada–Hyderabad Expressway
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402:. aptdc.gov.in. Archived from
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778:Andhra Pradesh Capital Region
176:Feast for Our Lady of Lourdes
998:List of cities by population
709:"Gunadala Mary Matha church"
426:"Gunadala Mary Matha church"
209:Thelegathoti Joseph Raja Rao
806:Vijayawada railway division
18:Church in Vijayawada, India
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905:Gunadala railway station
844:Statue of Social Justice
993:List of cities in India
849:Victoria Jubilee Museum
172:Gunadala Matha Festival
687:"Gunadalamatha Shrine"
478:The New Indian Express
342:on various occasions.
315:Ramavarappadu Junction
977:Indira Gandhi Stadium
930:Gunadala Matha Shrine
824:Akkanna Madanna Caves
258:Mary, mother of Jesus
236:Gunadala Matha Shrine
193:Diocese of Vijayawada
68:16.52074°N 80.65956°E
24:Gunadala Matha Shrine
839:Mogalrajapuram Caves
713:www.thehansindia.com
505:. 23 December 2013.
935:Kanaka Durga Temple
879:Mahatma Gandhi Road
816:Tourist attractions
626:. 9 February 2015.
406:on 13 December 2013
400:"St. Mary's Church"
241:Our Lady of Lourdes
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718:6 September
692:6 September
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602:|last=
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550:6 September
516:6 September
483:6 September
283:Gandhi Hill
159:Consecrated
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1013:Categories
761:Vijayawada
458:8 December
410:8 December
353:References
303:Tamil Nadu
270:Tamil Nadu
266:Velankanni
250:Vijayawada
150:Founder(s)
89:Vijayawada
87:Gunadala,
59:80°39′34″E
56:16°31′15″N
859:Transport
770:Geography
666:0971-751X
658:The Hindu
632:0971-751X
624:The Hindu
594:cite news
579:0971-751X
571:The Hindu
545:0971-751X
537:The Hindu
511:0971-751X
503:The Hindu
372:The Hindu
307:Karnataka
299:Telangana
276:Geography
205:Bishop(s)
225:Vicar(s)
84:Location
329:History
238:(also:
188:Diocese
142:Founded
127:History
117:Website
95:Country
970:Sports
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436:15 May
340:Masses
260:after
215:Rector
199:Clergy
168:Events
136:Church
132:Status
99:India
898:Rail
867:Road
720:2023
694:2023
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662:ISSN
639:2023
628:ISSN
606:help
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485:2023
460:2013
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305:and
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