Distribution of ‘fish prasadam' to begin in Hyderabad on June 8
Hyderabad: The annual distribution of fish prasadam by the Bathini family will begin at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally on June 8 at 10 am, on the occasion of Mrigasira Karte.
Announcing the event on Wednesday, Bathini Amarnath Goud said that the practice of fish prasadam distribution, which has been going on for nearly 180 years, will continue this year too.
'We expect around four to five lakh people this year, which is 10 to 15% more than the 3.5 lakh who attended last year,' Amarnath Goud told TOI.
He added that the state govt is providing full support to ensure the event runs smoothly. 'The fisheries department has also been asked to provide adequate mullet fingerlings,' he added.
On Wednesday evening, transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar convened a review meeting at the Secretariat on the arrangements to be made for the programme in presence of senior officials.
The fisheries department officials are arranging 1.5 lakh murrel fishes for the fish prasadam distribution this year.
The prasadam is distributed every year to people suffering from asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. It comprises a herbal paste which is placed in the mouth of the fish and then consumed by the recipients. 'If taken for four to five years, depending on the severity of the disease, patients can be completely cured,' said Goud.
According to the Goud family, this practice was taught to their ancestor Bathini Harinath Goud by a sage around 190 years ago.
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