HYDERABAD: Thousands of devotees, may of whom arrived from various parts of the country and abroad to the city, were given the unique and squirmy ‘prasadam’ of fish that is believed to cure asthma and other respiratory ailments, on Thursday. The turnout of devotees was a little more than usual, and a large number of them were from Northern and Eastern States.
While about 50,000 people availed the prasadam last year, the numbers till 8 pm on Friday was about 54,000. Another 10,000 are expected to gulp the fish before 9 am tomorrow. Amid elaborate arrangements, the distribution of ‘prasadam’ began Friday morning at Exhibition Grounds in Nampally and will continue for 24 hours. Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry T Srinivas Yadav started the process and, in fact, he too gulped one.
Members of Bathini Goud family were administering the fish stuffed with a herbal paste -- reportedly believed to be a cure for asthma and other breathing ailments. Despite it being a subject of controversy, patients descended here with a hope of finding some relief to their respiratory problems through the “miracle drug”.
A total of 34 counters were set up. Separate queues for women, physically-challenged and senior citizens to ensure smooth conduct of the annual event. Fisheries department made arrangements to supply 1.30 lakh fingerlings. The Bathini family, have been administering the ‘Bathini Fish’ every year for the asthma patients, for more than 173 years now since 1845. They have been providing this free service for last five generations.
About 450 kg of prasdam was prepared by 25 members of Bathini familiy members and will be sufficient for about four lakh patients.The prasadam, which the family has been distributing consists of a yellow herbal paste, the ingredients of which have remained a family secret. The paste is first stuffed into a live murrel fish that is then slipped through the throat of the patient. For vegetarians, separate medicine with jaggery is prepared. However, vegetarians need to take the prasadam for a longer period.
Prasadam needs to be taken thrice in 45 days
The Prasadam needs to be taken thrice over a period of 45 days and the patients are supposed to follow a strict diet prescribed by the Bathini family. All the portions of the medicine, given at the venue after the administration of fish medicine, should be taken on days of Arudra (June 23), Punarvasu (July 8) and Pushyami (July 23).