About Pradosh Vrat
Pradosha or Pradosh is an important day dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadeva. Pradosha Vrat falls on the 13th day of every lunar fortnight according to the traditional Hindu calendar followed in India. Lord Shiva devotees fast on Pradosham days from sunrise to sunset and break the fasting after the Pradosha pooja held at Lord Siva Temples. Som Pradosha, Bhauma Pradosh, and Shani Pradosh are the 3 types of Pradoshas. Pradosh which falls on Mondays is called Soma Pradosha, and that on Tuesday is Bhauma Pradosh, and that on Saturday are known as Shani Pradosh. Pradosh Vrat, which is also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
Pradosh Vrat is observed on both Trayodashi Tithis, i.e. Shukla Paksha Trayodashi and Krishna Paksha Trayodashi, in lunar month.
When Pradosham day falls on Monday it is called Soma Pradosham, on Tuesday it is called Bhauma Pradosham and on Saturday it is called as Shani Pradosham.
Pradosh Vrat Important
Pradhosha Vrata, or Pradhosham, is an important fasting day dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pradosha occurs twice in a month – on the 13th day (Trayodashi) – during the waxing moon fortnight and the other during the waning moon fortnight. The puja and worship is done in the evening. The Pradosha period can be loosely indicated as 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset.
The Shiva Purana states that one undertakes fasting on Pradhosha will be blessed with wealth, children, happiness and honor. The fasting and worship is specially undertaken by women who long to have children. It is said that those praying to Shiva during the auspicious time of Pradhosha will be freed from sins.
There are numerous legends associated with the Pradhosha Vratam. It is believed that Lord Shiva drank the Halahala poison that was churned up from the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthan) during Pradosham.
Another myth indicates that Lord Shiva and Parvati, the divine couple, are in a propitious mood during the evening twilight on the Trayodashi day and hence are easily pleased and grants whatever that a sincere devotee asks.
Offering Bael or Bilva leaves during the period to Lord Shiva is considered auspicious.
There are Shiva devotees that observe fast on both Pradosha days in a month. Some only fast during the waning phase of moon.
Staunch devotees opt for water only fasting and will only eat the ‘prasad’ offered in the evening. Such devotees only eat cooked from next day morning.
Another method of fasting is by eating fruits and such devotees eat cooked food on the day after the evening prayers. The strictness of the Pradosha fasting is usually decided by the devotee.
Some devotees do not fast but worship Shiva during the period or visit temples.
Since Monday is dedicated to Shiva, the Pradosha falling on Monday is referred as Soma- Pradosha and is considered highly auspicious. Pradosha falling on Saturday during the waning phase of moon is also auspicious.
How to Objerved Pradosh Vrat
Pradosha
Vrata is observed on the 13th day of a fortnight and there are two
Pradosham in a Hindu month. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are
worshipped in the evening during twilight on this day. In some regions,
the day is dedicated to Nataraja form of Shiva. The fasting on this day
is observed for success, peace and fulfillment of desires. It is said
that mere darshan of any of the one form of Shiva removes ignorance.
Pradosham is observed when the Trayodashi Tithi is there during the twilight period. This is important.
The importance of Pradosha Vrata and how to observe it is narrated in the Skanda Purana.
There
are two methods of fasting on the day. Some people observe a 24-hour
fast which includes not sleeping during night. Another method is fasting
from sunrise till sunset and after Shiva puja in the evening the fast
is broken.
Pradosham is the twilight period just before sunset and
after sunset. Pujas and prayers are performed during this period. Many
people during this period spend the time in a Shiva temple or listening
to the glory of Shiva.
In the evening, an hour before sunset the
devotee takes bath and prayers are offered to Lord Shiva, Goddess
Parvathi, Ganesha, Kartik and Nandi. After the initial prayers, Lord
Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Kalasha (sacred pot). The Kalasha
filled with water is covered with darbha grass and a lotus is drawn on
the pot.
Another form of worship is the puja of Shivling. The
shivling is bathed with water and Bilva leaves are offered. Some people
use a painting or picture of Shiva for worship. It is said that offering
Bilva leaves on Pradosham is highly auspicious.
After this people
listen to the Pradosha Vrata Katha or story or read chapters from Shiva
Purana. Then the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is recited108 times.
After this the water used in the puja ceremony is given as ‘Prasad’ along with sacred ash. The ash is applied on the forehead.
It
is said that just lighting a single lamp during Pradosham period is
enough to please Lord Shiva and the act is highly rewarding. Majority of
Shiva devotees have a darshan of Shiva during Pradosham in a nearby
temple.
