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Christian Pilgrimage Destination
A revered Marian pilgrimage centre dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes,
known for its peaceful hill shrine, sacred grotto, towering cross,
Stations of the Cross, and annual Gunadala Matha Festival.
Our Lady of Lourdes
Hilltop Grotto
Holy Cross
Annual Festival
Vijayawada Landmark
About St. Mary’s Church
Nestled amid the scenic Gunadala Hills in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh,
St. Mary’s Church is popularly known as Gunadala Matha Shrine or
Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine.
It is one of the most revered Christian pilgrimage centres in South
India and welcomes devotees from different religions throughout the year.
The shrine traces its origins to 1924, while the present church was
consecrated in 1971. The hill includes a sacred grotto dedicated to
Mother Mary, the Stations of the Cross, and a large cross at the summit.
Spiritual Importance:
Pilgrims visit the shrine seeking blessings, healing, peace, and spiritual
comfort. The hilltop setting also offers panoramic views of Vijayawada.
Marian Shrine
The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and is regarded as one
of the important Marian pilgrimage destinations in India.
Historic Origin
The shrine’s history dates to 1924, while the current church structure
was consecrated in 1971.
Hill Pilgrimage
Visitors can climb the Gunadala Hill pathway, pray at the grotto, and
continue towards the large cross at the summit.
Speciality of the Church
Our Lady of Lourdes
The shrine is dedicated to Mother Mary under the title Our Lady of
Lourdes.
Lourdes-Style Grotto
The hilltop grotto is inspired by the famous Lourdes Grotto in France.
Towering Holy Cross
A massive cross stands at the top of Gunadala Hill and can be seen from
several parts of Vijayawada.
Interfaith Devotion
People from different religions visit the shrine with faith in Mother
Mary’s blessings and healing grace.
Stations of the Cross
The hill pathway includes the Stations of the Cross and becomes
especially important during Lent and Holy Week.
Annual Festival
The Gunadala Matha Festival is celebrated every year from February 9
to February 11 and attracts a very large gathering of devotees.
The shrine brings together faith, devotion, natural beauty, and a strong
tradition of welcoming pilgrims from every background.
Address and Location
Full Address
Gunadala Matha Shrine,
Eluru Road, Christurajapuram,
Gunadala, Vijayawada,
Andhra Pradesh – 520004, India.
Latitude and Longitude
16.529° N, 80.648° E
Travel Tip:
Use “Gunadala Matha Shrine” or “St. Mary’s Church Gunadala” while searching
on navigation applications.
Visiting Timings
Daily Opening Hours
The shrine is generally open from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
Sunday Worship
Sunday Masses are conducted in Telugu and English.
Festival Period
Timings and access arrangements may change during the annual festival,
Holy Week, Christmas, and other major celebrations.
Important:
Confirm Mass timings and festival schedules with the shrine before
travelling, especially during major religious events.
Worship's & Holy Services
- Regular Holy Mass in Telugu and English.
- Confession services for devotees.
- Novena prayers dedicated to Mother Mary.
- Rosary prayer services.
- Christmas celebrations and special Masses.
- Good Friday and Easter services.
- Annual Gunadala Matha Festival from February 9 to February 11.
How to Reach by Road
Vijayawada is well connected by national highways, APSRTC buses, private
buses, taxis, and other road transport services.
From Hyderabad
Hyderabad → Suryapet → Kodad → Vijayawada
Approximate travel time: 5 to 6 hours.
From Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam → Rajahmundry → Eluru → Vijayawada
Approximate travel time: 7 to 8 hours.
From Guntur
Guntur → Vijayawada
Approximate travel time: 45 minutes.
From Amaravati
Amaravati → Mangalagiri → Vijayawada
Approximate travel time: 1 hour.
From Tirupati
Tirupati → Nellore → Ongole → Vijayawada
Approximate travel time: 7 to 8 hours.
How to Reach by Train
Nearest Railway Station
Vijayawada Junction, approximately 6 km from the shrine.
Local Transport
Autos, taxis, city buses, and app-based cabs are available from the
railway station.
Major Rail Connections
- Hyderabad
- Visakhapatnam
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
- Delhi
- Kolkata
How to Reach by Air
Nearest Airport
Vijayawada International Airport at Gannavaram, approximately 20 km
from the shrine.
Airport Transport
Taxis, app-based cabs, and selected bus services are available from the
airport to Vijayawada.
Facilities Near the Shrine
Travelling Facilities
City buses, autos, taxis, and app-based cab services are available in
and around Gunadala.
Parking facilities are generally available near the shrine, though
special traffic restrictions may apply during major festival days.
Food Facilities
Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and food outlets are available around
Gunadala, Eluru Road, and Benz Circle.
Visitors can find Andhra meals, South Indian breakfast, Chinese food,
snacks, beverages, and fast food.
Stay Facilities
Budget, mid-range, and luxury hotels are available in Vijayawada.
- Novotel Vijayawada Varun
- Lemon Tree Premier
- Quality Hotel DV Manor
- Fortune Murali Park
Nearby Transportation Hubs
| Transportation Hub |
Approximate Distance |
Available Transport |
| Pandit Nehru Bus Station |
5 km |
City buses, autos, taxis, app-based cabs |
| Vijayawada Junction |
6 km |
Autos, taxis, buses, app-based cabs |
| Vijayawada International Airport |
20 km |
Taxis, app-based cabs, selected bus services |
Nearby Cities
Guntur
Approximately 35 km.
Amaravati
Approximately 38 km.
Eluru
Approximately 62 km.
Machilipatnam
Approximately 70 km.
Hyderabad
Approximately 275 km.
Nearby Attractions
Temples and Religious Sites
Kanaka Durga Temple
A famous temple situated on Indrakeeladri Hill beside the Krishna River.
Subramanya Swamy Temple
A well-known religious site visited by devotees in Vijayawada.
Mangalagiri Panakala Narasimha Temple
An important pilgrimage destination near Vijayawada.
Undavalli Caves
Historic rock-cut caves known for their architecture and sculptures.
Tourist Places
- Prakasam Barrage
- Bhavani Island
- Rajiv Gandhi Park
- Victoria Museum, also known as Bapu Museum
- Kondapalli Fort
- Moghalrajapuram Caves
Best Time to Visit
Winter: November to February
Pleasant weather makes this period suitable for hill climbing,
sightseeing, and local travel.
Festival Season: February 9 to 11
Visitors can experience the annual Gunadala Matha Festival and its
large devotional gathering.
Monsoon: July to September
The hills become greener and the surroundings appear especially scenic.
Summer: March to June
Visit during the early morning or evening to avoid intense daytime heat.
Festival Travel Advice:
Expect large crowds, special traffic arrangements, limited parking, and
longer waiting times during the annual festival.
Conclusion
A visit to St. Mary’s Church, Gunadala Matha Shrine, offers a peaceful
combination of faith, history, devotion, and natural beauty.
Visitors can attend Mass, offer prayers at the grotto, climb the hill
pathway, visit the holy cross, and enjoy panoramic views of Vijayawada.
Its welcoming atmosphere, spiritual significance, annual festival, and
convenient location make it one of Andhra Pradesh’s most cherished
Christian pilgrimage destinations.
Final Travel Tip:
Wear comfortable footwear, carry drinking water, respect prayer areas,
follow shrine instructions, and plan extra travel time during festivals.
