Obituary: Bathini Harinath Goud, organiser of the 178-year-old fish prasadam, passes away

The Bathini family is known for their fish prasadam distribution, which claims to treat asthma and other respiratory issues.

Every year thousands of people turn up at the Nampally exhibition grounds, in Hyderabad, where the prasadam is distributed on Mrugasira Karthi (8 or 9 June).

This year, around 2.5-3 lakh people from various parts of the country descended on the Exhibition Grounds at Nampally.

Speaking to South First, Harinath Goud’s daughter-in-law Deepika said he had been ill for the past 15-20 days, “He has been on liquids, and his kidney infection had aggravated.”

She added, “He had dedicated his life to serving people, we wish to carry his legacy forward.”

Also read: 180-year-old fish ‘prasadam’ ritual for respiratory ailments

Legend of the fish prasadam

Ancestors of Bathini Goud family. (Supplied)

The fourth generation of the Bathini family is now organising the fish prasadam. The 178-year-old event has been happening every year, except for a brief pause during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The grandfather of Harinath Goud, Bathini Veeranna Goud, started the tradition.

According to the family, a guruji gave Veeranna Goud the formula to make the herbal paste, but only after making him take an oath that he would provide it free of cost.

The practice started in 1845. It gained popularity, and Veeranna Goud’s son Bathini Shankarya Goud and then Bathini Harinath Goud continued it.

It is believed by the devout that the prasadam has medicinal properties that could cure ailments such as asthma and bronchitis.

Also read: Did you know these unusual asthma triggers?

The prasadam

The prasadam he mentioned was a herbal paste stuffed into the mouth of the fish and shoved down the throat of the patients.

The Bathini Goud family claims that when the fish slides down, it clears the throat and provides relief to the patient.

Bathini Harinath Goud, during the 2023 fish prasadam distribution, noted that while allopathic medicine provides a temporary cure, the fish “medicine” ensured a more permanent remedy.

However, medical practitioners, activists, and other experts have repeatedly questioned the fish prasadam.

In 2013, the Andhra Pradesh High Court suspended a Lokayukta order and allowed the conduct of the event. However, it ruled that the “wonder drug” could not be considered a medicine. Hence, it is termed fish prasadam.

The huge turnout at Exhibition Grounds in 2023 reflected the firm belief people have in the prasadam.

Government support

Male members of Bathini Goud family. (Supplied)

The prasadam was distributed at the ancestral home of the Bathini family in the Old City’s Doodhbowli area and their residence in Secunderabad’s Kavadiguda till 12 June.

In 1997, the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government had asked the family to shift the venue from the congested bylanes of their ancestral house.

The event was shifted to a ground at the Katedhan Sports Complex on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

However, the authorities failed to control the crowd, which once led to a stampede, killing one person and injuring several others.

Speaking about taking the legacy forward, Deepika said the family wishes to continue serving the people.