'Mrigasira Karti' Brings Surge in Fish Consumption to Ward Off Seasonal Illnesses

Hyderabad: ‘Mrigasira Karti’ on Thursday, which is believed to herald the monsoon here, is a day dedicated to the consumption of fish to ward off seasonal illnesses.

Fish consumption rockets on this day, and markets are crowded with people. This year, the state fisheries department supplied 1,600 tonne of fish, apart from private players who send fish from the sea coast in other states and rivers and waterbodies in the state.

V. Srinivas. general manager of the TS fisheries department, said, “We supplied 1,600 tonnes of fish, mostly rohu and cutla.”

Besides, there is confusion over exactly when is Mrigasira Karti. Due to this, officials said, there were high sales on Wednesday and Thursday and the same could be expected on Friday when the Bathini family distributes fish prasadam.
At the main Musheerabad fish market, work started at 3 am. The market saw the sale of 1,000 tonnes of fish. “Sea fish supplies were exhausted by noon due to demand. Its supply was less as compared to pond and river fish.

Sravanthi, a vendor, said the prices were slightly higher, about ₹20 to ₹50 per kg. “The customers were not fussy, they were simply taking it. This kind of sale comes once a year and we make a few extra bucks.”

Balamma at the market, who cleans and cuts the fish, had  a field day. “Usually we charge ₹20 to scale and cut a kg of fish. Today we charged ₹30. That brings a little more money to our pocket,” she said.