Vijayawada: The three-day
festival
in honour of Mother Mary came to an end with special prayers being offered for the sick and the diseased at Gunadala shrine in the city on Wednesday.
Vijayawada Bishop Telagathoti Joseph Rajarao, Guntur Bishop Chinnabathina Bhagyaiah and others offered special prayers in the morning mass.
The bishops addressed a huge gathering at Bishop Grassi High School. They spoke about the significance of the vision of Mother Mary of the 14-year-old girl from Lourdes, a town in southern France.
Millions of devotees visit Lourdes every year on February 11. Mother Mary atop Gunadala shrine is also worshipped as Mary of Lourdes on the last day of the three-day fest.
Bishop Joseph Raja Rao, Monsignor Father Muvvala Prasad, Rector Father Y William and other priests said the benediction. Thousands of devotees visited the shrine at Gundala and ascended the hill to offer special prayers at Mother Mary’s statue. A few devotees also offered prayers at the cross on top of the Gunadala hill.
The city police diverted traffic for a while to facilitate the devotees. Four-wheelers were diverted from Gunadala ESI junction to Padavalervu.
Arul Kumar P, a devotee and a resident of Kankipadu said, “The
Gunadala Matha
shrine is a very sacred place. We come here regularly and offer prayers. But visiting the temple during the fest is very special.”
Venu Lanka is a special correspondent, at The Times of India-Vija...
Read MoreVenu Lanka is a special correspondent, at The Times of India-Vijayawada. He covers developments related to VMC/APCRDA, Janasena, education, health, endowments, and agriculture-related stories. He holds two graduate degrees, one in business management and another in law. He completed his post-graduation in journalism and mass communication, apart from completing short-term courses.
Read Less