It is considered the second biggest worship place of Mary, mother of Jesus after Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health at Velankanni in Tamil Nadu.

The festival commences at Padavala Revu, formerly a bustling wharf for boats traveling to Machilipatnam, and stretches along Eluru Road to the Ramavarappadu Junction.

In addition to Christians, a significant number of individuals from various religious backgrounds also visit this location, believed to possess healing properties.

[10] The development of Gunadala, particularly the Mary Matha Shrine, is credited to the efforts of Catholic priest Huges Pezzoni.

Arlati installed a small statue of Our Lady of Lourdes (Mother Mary) in a natural grotto on the slopes of Gunadala hill the same year.

Due to issues caused by September rains for pilgrims, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was moved to February 11.