About the Shrine

Karunagiri shrine, located on the bypass Road in Khammam, is one of the upcoming Catholic Shrines in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the shrine of Karunagiri Nadhudu, Jesus, The Lord of Compassion. Most Rev. Dr. Maipan Paul, Bishop of Khammam, the visionary and architect of the Karunagiri shrine, started it in 1999. Shrine includes a main Church building surrounded by various edifices like 'Rosary Garden', 'Calvary', 'children Park' 'Mysteries of the Holy Rosary' and 'the Way of the Cross stations'. A beautiful rivulet flows through it.

Number of pilgrims from across the state of Andhra Pradesh as well as from various parts of India has increased substantially over the years. Pilgrims come here to offer special prayers, to make vows and to experience inner peace and joy.

Every year on March 2nd Karunagiri feast, the major celebration here, is held in a grand Manner. People in good numbers throng the shrine. In a similar fashion, on December 8th every year the Feast of 'Karunagiri Matha' (Immaculate Conception) is celebrated. Both these feasts are preceded by nine days of novena prayers.

The novena prayers which include Rosary, Holy Eucharist and charistmatic healing services are followed by cultural programmes and competitions.

Every friday the day-long fasting prayers are conducted for the pilgrims. Eminent preachers of the Word of God are engaged to preach on these occasions.

Main Church

Karunagiri Main Church is the major attraction of the shrine. Located exactly in the center, the Church is built on a hillock on the model of a Hindu Temple to reflect Indian Culture. All the other structures were built around it. Every day Holy Mass is celebrated here at 5 pm. Every friday the faithful from different places across the diocese attend the prayer and fasting service conducted in this Church. All those who attend the prayer service on fridays fast from morning till evening and spend time in listening to the word of God, participating in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and making confessions.

Our Lady's Grotto

Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary surrounded by a lot of trees is built on a raised platform. Those who wish to reach the grotto have to come up through a circular way. At the foot of the grotto there is an artificial spring of water and the replicas of a deer and other animals. In front of the spring is a beautiful pond and a fountain.

Calvary

The twelfth Station of the Cross at Karunagiri shrine popularly known as 'Calvary' is one of the oldest edifices at the shrine. On all tuesdays and fridays during the season of Lent 'the Way of the Cross' is conducted from Naidupet through Karunagiri shrine. The Way of the Cross sthupams (stations) are distributed at regular distances on the whole length of two-kilometer road from Naidupeta main gate till the shrine. Different parishes surrounding Khammam take up the responsibility of conducting the prayer services on Lenten fridays. Usually the parishners, especially those who take deeksha (special penance), make padayathra (journey on foot) all the way from their parishes to Naidupeta. When they reach Naidupeta, they start the Way of the Cross till Karunagiri. After the Way of the Cross, the parish priest of the particular parish, whose turn is to conduct the prayer service on the particular day, celebrates Holy Mass at the Calvary. Many local priests and the faithful also take part in the prayer service and the Holy Mass.

Kiran Park

It is not just the spiritual thirst that urges people to visit shrines. There is certainly a desire in every one to seek entertainment and peace of mind. Karunagiri shrine with its green surroundings and a beautiful Munneru river serves as a natural destination for visitors of all kinds. Adding to these natural surroundings is one Kiran park. 

The park lodges replicas of various animals ranging from dinosaur to monkeys, dragons to frogs, lion to elephant and fish to hippopotamus to mention a few. There is a lot of playing equipment for children like climbing frame, slide, water fountain etc. All these provide at least a temporary escape from cares and worries of our busy life.