'Fish Prasadam' event cancelled due to pandemic

Hyderabad: The Fish Prasadam has been cancelled for third year in a row due to pandemic. The festival has been called off as part of precautionary measures. The annual event to give fish "prasadam" to asthma patients would not be held due to the pandemic.

Bathini Harinath Goud and his family have decided to stop distributing fish 'prasadam' since 2020. The second wave led them to cancel the event last year as well.

"Though the pandemic situation is currently under control, we decided not to organise distribution as a measure of abundant precaution," Goud added.

Every year, the festival takes place in the Nampally Exhibition Grounds during Mrigasira Karthi, which marks the beginning of the monsoon season.

Thousands of asthma sufferers arrive in the Hyderabad from all across the country to get the fish offering.

The asthmatics swallow a live 'murrel' fish with a yellow herbal paste in its mouth, which is said to bring much-needed relief after three years of use. The medication is sweetened with jaggery for vegetarians.