Visitors flock to Hyderabad for fish prasadam event

The annual fish prasadam distribution by the Bathini family continued at Hyderabad’s Exhibition Grounds, attracting thousands from across India. Now in its 180th year, the event saw participants from multiple states queueing up to receive the traditional offering on Mrigasira Karthi.

Hyderabad: The distribution of the annual fish prasadam at the Exhibition Grounds, Nampally, which commenced last night, continued through the day on Tuesday.

Into its 180th year, the traditional fish prasdam distributed by Bathini family continued to draw large crowds from different parts of the country. From far-off states, people had started to arrive on Saturday itself and queued up at the venue almost 48 hours in advance.

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Kailas Biswas from Odisha along with his wife Suvarna had travelled to the city to receive fish prasadam. “My wife has been suffering from asthma for the past five years despite costly treatments. Following advice from some persons from Odisha who have been taking fish prasadam for the past several years, we came here last year and found relief. This is the second time we are here now,” he said.

Rajendra Mukund from Rajasthan had come along with his grandparents who have been dealing with breathing problems. “Based on suggestions from my relatives settled in Hyderabad, I have been bringing my grandparents for the prasadam for last three years,” he said.

Bathini family said they have been organising the fish prasadam event for the last 180 years without any interruption on the auspicious day of Mrigasira Karthi. “We have been consistently holding the event and arranging necessary prasadam till the last person receives it,” said Bathini Shiva Shankar Goud.

Chiranjeevi, a mobile store manager in Jharkhand, said, “I have visited this place twice before and received fish prasadam. This year, I came with my colleagues.”

Nana Saheb Dogudu from Solapur, Maharashtra, was happy to have comfortably received the prasadam and said, “I came for fish prasadam along with my co-brother.”

A 23-year-old Kaif Akhil Qureshi from Beed, Maharashtra, said he learnt about fish prasadam through social media and came down here. “I hope this will provide relief for my health issues,” he said.

Mounika had travelled from Bengaluru along with her husband, and said, “I have a health issue and cannot breathe freely. This fish medicine may resolve the health problem.”