Thousands of People in India Wait in Enormous Lines to Swallow Live Fish (2 photos)

Every year in Hyderabad, one of the most unusual rituals in the world takes place – Fish Prasadam. For over 180 years, the Bathini Goud family of hereditary healers has been distributing small live fish for free, claiming they can cure asthma and chronic bronchitis.





How it works:

A secret herbal paste is placed in the fish's mouth (the recipe is known only to the men of the family, and has been passed down from generation to generation since 1845).

The patient must swallow the fish alive.

According to belief, as the fish slides down the throat and wiggles its fins, it "cleanses" the respiratory tract of mucus.

The ritual takes place once a year on Mrigasira Karthi (usually in early June with the arrival of the monsoons). This year, huge queues have formed in Nampally again – people come from all over India.

The state government even helps organize the event: police, medics, and fish supplies.

The family emphasizes: this is not a medicine, but prasadam – a sacred offering. Many patients come for several years in a row.

Would you swallow a live fish to cure asthma?