Hyderabad: Fish prasadam distribution to be held on June 8

The annual fish prasadam distribution by the Bathini family will be held at Hyderabad’s Exhibition Grounds on June 8 during Mrigasira Karthi. Lakhs of asthma patients are expected to attend the event, for which over one lakh murrel fish have been arranged.

Hyderabad: The popular annual fish prasadam distribution by the Bathini family will be held in the city at Exhibition Grounds, Nampally, on the occasion of Mrigasira Karthi on June 8.

The Bathini Goud family will take part in administering the fish prasadam, a practice continuing for the past 179 years, having begun in 1845 in the city. But for two years during the Covid pandemic, the fish prasadam distribution has continued in the city uninterrupted.

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Lakhs of asthma patients and others with lung ailments are expected to throng Nampally from across the country to receive fish prasadam. While the event is scheduled for one day, the Bathini family usually continues it on second day as well in view of heavy crowds.

The fish prasadam is associated with a formula the Bathini family follows for preparation, which they claim was given to their forefather by a saint. The prasadam is prepared a day ahead of the distribution at Bathini’s ancestral residence at Doodbowli in the Old City and brought to the venue.

The process involves stuffing a live murrel fingerling with a yellow herbal paste and then slipping it into a person’s mouth. Those taking fish prasadam are advised to follow a strict 45-day diet to maximise the efficacy while staying away from non-vegetarian items.

The Telangana Fisheries Department is making arrangements to supply murrel fish for two days for the fish prasadam distribution, with over 1 lakh murrel fish kept ready. Another 75,000 murrel fish have been kept ready as a standby to ensure the programme proceeds smoothly, according to a senior Fisheries Department official.

Separate counters will be opened at the exhibition grounds for issuing tokens for administering fish prasadam.