Hyderabad, May 28: Telangana’s Fisheries Department will supply 1.5 lakh fingerlings for the annual ‘fish prasadam’ distribution event scheduled on June 8 and 9 at the Exhibition Grounds, Nampally, Hyderabad.
The Bathini Goud family will distribute ‘fish prasadam’ to people suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments. Hyderabad Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reviewed the event preparations on Wednesday, directing all concerned departments to ensure smooth arrangements and convenience for the participants.
Prabhakar instructed police, GHMC, Revenue, Roads and Buildings, Electricity, and other departments to coordinate closely. He also urged the setup of medical camps, ambulance readiness, and alertness from the fire services. Strict security measures and queue management with barricades will be in place, with special attention to women and elderly attendees.
Officials confirmed the supply of 1.5 lakh fingerlings for the event. With many visitors expected from other states, arrangements for drinking water, sanitation, and food — in collaboration with NGOs — are being organized. Special buses will run from Secunderabad, Kacheguda, and Cherlapally railway stations to the venue.
The Bathini Goud family announced that the distribution will start at 10 a.m. on June 8 and continue for 24 hours. Asthma patients from across Telugu states and beyond participate annually, seeking relief through this traditional remedy.
The family claims to have been providing this fish medicine free of charge for around 180 years. The herbal formula, passed down from their ancestor after receiving it from a saint in 1845, is administered on the ‘Mrigasira Kartti’ day, marking the start of the monsoon season.
The treatment involves placing a yellow herbal paste inside the mouth of a live murrel fingerling, which is then swallowed by the patient. This is believed to offer relief if taken for three consecutive years. For vegetarians, the family provides the medicine with jaggery instead of the fish.
Though the medicine has seen a decline in popularity over the last 15 years due to controversies, many still come hoping for relief. Critics have questioned the safety of the herbal paste, citing heavy metal content and approaching courts. However, lab tests ordered by the courts have cleared the paste as safe.
Following these challenges, the family now refers to the treatment as ‘fish prasadam’. Despite debates, large crowds continue to attend each year.
