Batthini Family Reveals the Story Behind Hyderabad’s Famous Fish Prasadam Tradition
The Batthini family has shared rare details about the origins, preparation process and traditions behind the famous Fish Prasadam, a practice that has continued for nearly 190 years.
One of Telangana’s most talked about traditional health related practices is once again drawing attention as the Batthini family has revealed several lesser known details about the famous Fish Prasadam distributed every year during the Mrigasira season. The family says the practice has been carried forward for nearly 190 years across six generations and remains rooted in a set of strict traditions followed since its origin.
According to family members, the history of Fish Prasadam dates back to an encounter between their ancestor Batthini Veeranna Goud and a sage who had arrived from the Himalayas. The sage reportedly stayed with the family for about two weeks and was deeply impressed by Veeranna Goud’s service and hospitality. Before leaving, he is said to have shared a unique herbal formula along with several conditions that would govern its preparation and distribution. The Batthini family claims that these guidelines continue to be followed even today.
The annual distribution of Fish Prasadam has become a major event in Hyderabad, attracting lakhs of visitors seeking relief from respiratory issues such as asthma and breathing difficulties. Family representatives Batthini Gouri Shankar Goud and Batthini Anirudh Goud recently discussed the tradition, its preparation process and the values that have helped preserve it for generations.
One of the most closely guarded aspects of the practice is the herbal mixture used in the preparation. The family says only four members currently know the complete formula. While many relatives assist during the process, the core recipe is shared only with carefully selected individuals who demonstrate responsibility, dedication and a commitment to service. Family elders reportedly decide who is eligible to inherit this knowledge.
Preparations for the event begin nearly two months before the actual distribution. Large quantities of medicinal herbs, sometimes reaching between 400 and 500 kilograms, are collected and processed. The herbs are ground using a traditional tool known as the Amada Hasta, a stone grinder believed to be more than a century old. Family members say the grinding process generates significant heat because of the nature of the ingredients involved.
The tradition also follows strict location based rules. The preparation must take place exclusively at the Batthini family residence in Doodh Bowli, Hyderabad. Even the water used during preparation is drawn from a specific well located inside the house. The first serving of Fish Prasadam each year is distributed from the residence before public distribution begins. The final serving also returns to the same location, maintaining a ritual that has continued for generations.
Religious rituals play an important role before the preparation begins. A Satyanarayana Swamy Vratham is conducted at the family home, after which the herbal mixture is prepared. Family members say the complete process usually takes between 12 and 14 hours to finish.
Over the years, interest in the formula has extended beyond devotees. The Batthini family revealed that several individuals and private organizations have reportedly offered large sums of money in exchange for the recipe. Some even approached them with blank cheques. However, the family insists that the formula will never be sold or disclosed because the original instructions required the service to remain free and dedicated to public welfare.
The popularity of the event has grown dramatically. Until 1997, distribution was conducted entirely from the family residence, with all arrangements managed privately. As attendance increased into the hundreds of thousands, government agencies stepped in to assist with logistics and infrastructure. The event was eventually shifted to the Exhibition Grounds to accommodate the growing crowds.
Last year alone, the family estimates that around four lakh people attended the distribution. Similar or even larger numbers are expected this year. Authorities and multiple government departments have already begun coordinating arrangements to manage visitors and ensure smooth operations.
The family has also issued a warning to the public regarding fraudulent claims. They emphasized that Fish Prasadam is distributed only at the Exhibition Grounds and not through any online service. Any individual or organization claiming to provide the prasadam online should be treated with caution, as the family does not authorize such services.
Batthini Anirudh Goud said the seventh generation of the family is now actively involved in continuing the tradition. He noted that preserving the values of service, responsibility and commitment remains just as important as protecting the secret formula itself. As the practice approaches two centuries of existence, Fish Prasadam continues to hold a unique place in Telangana’s cultural and traditional landscape.
