All is set for the three-day Gunadala Lourdu Matha Utsavams atop Gunadala Hill which begins on February 9, said Vijayawada Bishop Telagathoti Joseph Rajarao.
Over 10 lakh devotees from different States are expected to attend the 101-year-old celebrations at the shrine, the Bishop said.
The Gunadala Matha Utsava Committee and the officials are making all arrangements for the Utsavams and have taken steps forr crowd management and to face any eventuality. Briefing the media about the 101st year of celebrations at the Gunadala Shrine, here on Friday, Mansignore Muvvala Prasad said Bishops from different countries and States are expected to attend the celebrations and offer prayers to Lourdu Matha.
“Devotees will light candles, break coconuts, offer hair and perform special prayers during the three-day Utsavams,” Mr. Rajarao said.
Gunadala Church Rector Father Yeleti William Jayaraju said that drinking water, toilets, queue lines for darshan, distribution of water and buttermilk packets and other arrangements have been made for the pilgrims.
“Police outposts, information centres and medical camps have been set up on the hill,” Mr. Prasad explained.
The South Central Railway (SCR) and APSRTC are running specials and announced halts at the nearby stations for the convenience of the devotees, said Social Service Centre executive director Thota Sunil Raju.
District Collector G. Lakshmisha, Police Commissioner S. V. Rajashekar Babu, officers from Medical and Health department, Municipal Corporation, AP Transco and other departments reviewed the arrangements with the Utsava Committee members.
Published – February 07, 2025 04:31 pm IST
