Thousands gather at Hyderabad's Nampally for annual 'fish prasadam' distribution
Hyderabad, June 8
Thousands of people from across the country converged at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally on Monday as the annual distribution of the 'fish prasadam' began, drawing a massive turnout of asthma patients seeking relief.
The ritual, administered by the Bathini Goud family, involves placing a live sardine fingerling stuffed with a secret herbal paste into the throat of the patient. The event is traditionally held to coincide with the onset of the Mrigasira Karthi, a period which practitioners believe is ideal for the treatment to take effect.
By Monday evening, long queues had already formed as patients, many arriving from distant States, waited for their turn. The venue has been secured with extensive barricading, and officials have deployed additional security personnel to regulate the flow of crowds. Public amenities, including medical aid camps and drinking water stations, have also been set up across the grounds.
The event, which attracts both scepticism from the scientific community and fervent faith from participants, saw testimonials from many who have travelled great distances.
Hanumanth, a patient from Maharashtra, expressed satisfaction with his experience. "I am feeling 85 per cent relieved from these medicines," he said, noting that while the high turnout necessitated rebooking his travel, he was appreciative of the police department's crowd management.
For others, the logistics provided by the administration were a highlight. Rampravesh, a first-time attendee from Delhi, noted that the arrangements, including accommodation facilities, were handled efficiently. Rithu, a patient from Uttar Pradesh, echoed this sentiment, commending the Telangana police for maintaining order amidst the dense crowd.
Rohit Kumar, who travelled from Bihar accompanied by a group of 15 to 20 people, highlighted the availability of basic amenities, noting that free food was being distributed to the devotees at the venue. The distribution is scheduled to continue for two days, with authorities expecting the momentum to remain high as more patients arrive to receive the traditional treatment.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's fascinating to see people from Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar all coming to Hyderabad for this. I'm a bit sceptical about the science behind it, but as someone with severe allergies, I understand the desperation for relief. The effort by the Bathini Goud family to carry this tradition for generations is remarkable.
Every year the same drama! Why can't we just accept that this has no scientific basis? Instead of spending thousands on travel, these patients should be visiting actual doctors. The authorities should focus on promoting modern healthcare rather than facilitating such risky practices. Smh...
I have a close relative who genuinely got relief from this treatment after years of suffering with asthma. I can't explain the science, but the placebo effect is real. Plus, the arrangements for food, water, and medical camps show our administration cares. Kudos to the police for the smooth crowd management! 👏👏
I've been attending this with my grandmother for 10 years now. Even if it's just a psychological comfort, the atmosphere of shared faith and hope is incredible. But I do wish the government would also invest in better asthma research alongside sustaining such traditions. Both can coexist, no?
The organisers need to ensure better hygiene. Swallowing a live fish with some herbal paste? That's borderline dangerous in a pandemic era. But I respect the faith of the thousands who travel miles for this. Maybe next year, they can hand out the herbal paste separately instead of the fish itself. Just a thought. 🤔
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