Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Khairtabad

The Shrine of Our Lady of Health stands near Masab Tank in the A.C. Guards area of Khairtabad, Hyderabad. Said to be Asia's biggest octagonal church, it is also among the older Catholic churches of Hyderabad. It began as a chapel for Catholic soldiers of the Nizam's 3rd Infantry and the A.C. Guards and their families, proposed by Fr. Malberti of St. Joseph's Cathedral. Built between May and December 1903, Bishop Vigano consecrated it on 10 January 1904, under the original name Our Lady of Divine Grace. It became a parish in 1941.

The great event of the year is the feast of the Virgin Mary's birthday on 8 September, celebrated here since 1904. It opens with a flag hoisting on 29 August, followed by evening novenas, benediction and a procession carrying her statue round the grounds. Lakhs of people come during the feast, and thousands attend the special mass on the first Saturday of every month.