Thousands Gather for Annual Feast at Panchkui Shrine in Jhabua Diocese

Panchkui, February 17, 2026 — Thousands of devotees assembled at the Panchkui Shrine in the Jhabua Diocese on February 15 to celebrate the annual feast of Our Lady of Grace, transforming the Marian pilgrimage centre into a vibrant hub of prayer and devotion.

Pilgrims from across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring regions arrived from the early hours of the morning, participating in a day marked by hymns, communal prayer, and Eucharistic celebrations. Families and individuals were seen lighting candles, offering flowers, and presenting personal and family intentions in an atmosphere of reverence and spiritual reflection.

To accommodate the large gathering, Holy Masses were celebrated at regular intervals throughout the day. Each liturgy was marked by a solemn and prayerful tone, enabling the faithful to engage deeply in worship and experience moments of renewal.

The feast was preceded by a period of spiritual preparation that began on February 6. As part of the preparation, a three-day retreat was conducted from February 11 to 13, during which participants reflected on the Word of God and were encouraged to deepen their faith commitment.

A highlight of the celebration was the solemn procession of the statue of Mother Mary around the shrine premises. Devotees walked in prayerful silence, interspersed with Marian hymns and supplications, offering a striking expression of collective faith and devotion.

In their message, the principal celebrants urged the faithful to draw inspiration from the virtues of Mother Mary — faith, humility, and obedience — and to embody these values in daily life by promoting love, unity, and trust in God.

The smooth organisation of the feast was credited to the coordinated efforts of priests, religious sisters, volunteers, and lay faithful of the diocese, who ensured that pilgrims from distant places could participate without difficulty.

As the celebrations concluded, the shrine remained enveloped in a spirit of calm and prayer, with devotees departing spiritually enriched and renewed in faith.

By Fr. Manish Damor