Hyderabad’s Historic Khairatabad Shrine Celebrates the Nativity of Mother Mary

Hyderabad’s Historic Khairatabad Shrine Celebrates the Nativity of Mother Mary HYDERABAD: The historic Our Lady of Good Health Shrine in Khairatabad, popularly known as Arogya Matha Shrine, celebrated the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with religious devotion and special celebrations. The shrine, which has a history spanning more than a century, is regarded as an important Marian pilgrimage centre in Hyderabad. Devotees from different parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and other states visit the shrine throughout the year for prayer and devotion. The history of the shrine dates back to 1903, when a chapel was established with the permission of the then Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, to serve the spiritual needs of army personnel. A statue of Our Lady was also brought from Italy during that period. The present octagonal church was constructed in 1954 under the leadership of Father Xavier Roche, a missionary from Malaysia. The foundation-related ceremony was attended by Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan and Archbishop Joseph Mark Gopu of Hyderabad. The church was subsequently inaugurated in 1959. This year's annual feast celebrations began with the flag hoisting on August 29, followed by nine days of Novena prayers from August 30 to September 7. On September 8, the feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary was marked with special Holy Masses beginning around midnight. The main celebration included a solemn Holy Mass led by Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. A Marian procession was also held in the evening, with thousands of devotees joining in prayer and devotion. Parish priests, the parish council, members of various church associations, choir groups and volunteers played an important role in organising the celebrations. Police and civic authorities also assisted with arrangements to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the feast. The Khairatabad shrine continues to hold a special place in the spiritual life of Hyderabad. Beyond its distinctive octagonal architecture, the shrine represents a long-standing tradition of Marian devotion and prayer that continues to attract pilgrims from across the region.