Khairatabad Shrine: A Century of Faith and Devotion to Mother Mary

Hyderabad, September 6, 2026: For more than a century, generations of faithful have climbed the steps of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health at Khairatabad carrying prayers, burdens and hopes. Popularly known as Arokiya Madha, the shrine has grown from a modest chapel serving Catholic soldiers into one of Hyderabad’s most cherished centres of Marian devotion.

The shrine is renowned for its distinctive octagonal architecture and is regarded as Asia’s first octagonal Catholic church and one of the largest octagonal churches in the continent.

Its story began in 1903, when Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan permitted the construction of a chapel on Army land for Catholic personnel serving with the African Cavalry Guards. Around the same period, a statue of Mother Mary was brought from Italy. Venerated by generations of devotees, the statue is traditionally regarded as miraculous and remains at the heart of the shrine’s spiritual life.

The present church emerged several decades later. Nizam VII, Mir Osman Ali Khan, laid its foundation stone on December 27, 1954. The church was inaugurated in 1959 and blessed by Archbishop Joseph Mark Gopu.

Among those who played a significant role in shaping the shrine was Fr. Xavier Roch, who served as its parish priest for 27 years. His long association with the shrine continued until his death in 1974, leaving a lasting imprint on the community and its Marian tradition.

Over the years, Khairatabad has grown beyond the boundaries of a parish church. Devotees travel to the shrine from across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as from neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra. People of different castes and religious backgrounds come here, drawn by a shared faith in Mary’s maternal care and intercession.

The annual feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 is the high point of the shrine’s calendar. Preparations begin with the flag hoisting on August 29, followed by a nine-day novena from August 30 to September 7.

On the feast day, Holy Masses begin at midnight and continue through the day, culminating in the Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.

One of the most anticipated moments is the grand procession carrying the revered statue of Mother Mary through the surrounding streets. Thousands of devotees join the procession, turning it into a public expression of faith and Marian devotion.

The celebrations require the coordinated efforts of the shrine administration, assistant parish priests, parish council, Legion of Mary, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, choir members and numerous volunteers. Civil and police authorities also extend support to facilitate the large gathering of pilgrims.

Yet beyond the crowds, ceremonies and traditions, the enduring significance of Khairatabad lies in the personal stories brought to its altar. For generations, people have come to Arokiya Madha with illness and anxiety, gratitude and thanksgiving, sorrow and uncertainty. Some come seeking healing; others simply seek the strength to face what lies ahead.

More than a century after its humble beginnings, the shrine continues to stand as a place of prayer and encounter—a sacred space where generations have entrusted their lives and loved ones to Mary, Arokiya Madha, Mother of Good Health.

By Catholic Connect Reporter