Hyderabad Hosts Thousands as Two-Day Fish Prasadam Distribution Gets Underway

Thousands of people from different parts of the country gathered at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds on Monday as the annual Fish Prasadam distribution programme began amid tight security and extensive public arrangements.

The event, organised by the Bathini Goud family , is a long-standing tradition that draws asthma sufferers and people with respiratory ailments who believe the remedy can provide relief from breathing-related health issues. The practice involves administering a specially prepared herbal paste through a small live fish, a ritual that devotees associate with improved respiratory health.

The distribution coincides with the onset of Mrigashira Karthi , a period considered auspicious by followers of the tradition. According to organisers, the remedy is believed to be most effective when consumed during this specific time of the year. The programme will continue uninterrupted until Tuesday night.

Authorities made elaborate arrangements in anticipation of the large turnout. Officials from the Fisheries Department supplied nearly 1.4 lakh fingerlings for the two-day event, while police and civic agencies coordinated crowd-management measures across the venue.

By Monday evening, the exhibition grounds were packed with devotees arriving from several states, turning the venue into a sea of people. Long queues formed as participants waited patiently for their turn to receive the prasadam. To manage the crowds, officials installed extensive barricading and deployed additional police personnel to maintain order and ensure smooth movement within the premises.

A range of facilities was put in place for visitors, including medical camps , drinking water stations, accommodation support and free meal services . Officials said special attention was given to the needs of elderly visitors and those travelling long distances to attend the event.

Many devotees expressed confidence in the traditional practice. Hanumanth , who travelled from Maharashtra, said he had experienced significant improvement in his respiratory condition after taking the prasadam in previous years. First-time visitors from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh also appreciated the arrangements made at the venue, while a group from Bihar praised the availability of basic amenities and free food.

Although the practice has faced scrutiny from sections of the scientific community over the years, faith in the tradition remains strong among its followers. With large numbers continuing to arrive from across the country, officials expect the crowd to swell further over the coming hours as the annual programme continues.