Pradosha Vrata & The Importance of Observing It
Pradosha or Pradosham falls on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) during the waxing and waning phase of moon in the Hindu lunar calendar. Occurring between 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm on Trayodashi, the Pradosha time is propitious to pray Lord Shiva and invoke his blessings. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva at Pradosha time will relieve from sins and gives Moksha.
Among the poojas performed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, the Pradosha puja is considered to be more auspicious. It is believed that during Pradosha period all the universal beings and Gods come down to earth and attend the worship. The importance of observing Pradosha is described in Pradosha Mahatmyam from Shiva Purana and hence Shiva devotees observe Pradosha Pooja with high sanctity. Pradosha indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.
According to Hinduism, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison on a Saturday and this is called Sani Pradhosham or Shani Pradosha. Sani Pradosham is classified into Uthama Shani Pradhosham, Mathima Sani Pradhosham, and Athama Sani Pradhosham.
Uthama Sani Pradhosha is the Sani Pradhosham that comes during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during the waxing period. Mathima Sani Pradhosham occurs during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during waning period. All other Shani Pradhoshams come under this category Athama Shani Pradhosha.
Maha Pradhosham
Maha Pradhosha is a yearly rite which falls during February – March (Magha in Sanskrit, Kumbha Masam in Malayalam, and Maasi in Tamil) before Maha Sivarathri.
History of Pradosha Vrat or Why Observing Pradosham (One of the Reasons)
According to Hindu Puranas, the gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) were stirring the milky ocean to extract amirtam (nectar), with Vasuki (the serpent king) as a rope. As Vasuki underwent severe scratches due to the churning, she emitted a powerful poison which is capable of destroying the world. The helpless celestials pleaded Lord Shiva to save them. In order to save them, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison. Goddess Parvati stopped the poison in Lord’s throat and it is believed that his throat turned to blue. As a result of this, Lord Shiva came to be known as Thiruneelagandan or Neelakandan (the one with Blue Throat).
It is said that on the Trayodhasi (thirteenth moon day) day, the gods and demons realized that they had committed a sin of not praying the God and prayed for forgiveness. Lord Shiva Shankar forgave them and danced in between the horns of the Nandhi’s (Celestial Bull) forehead. This time is called Pradhosham. It is believed that if anybody prays Lord Shiva in that time, he fulfills their wishes and gives them mukthi.
Details of how to perform Pradosha Vrata (Pradosha Mahatmyam from Shiva Purana).
In Shukla Paksha (15 moon days from new moon to full moon) and Krishna Paksha (15 moon days from full moon to new moon) the evening of the Trayodasi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 pm to 6.00 p.m. (loosely indicated as 1.5 hours before sunset and 1 hour after sunset) is called Pradosham. It comes once in fifteen moon days. Pradosha time is to pray Lord Shiva and invoke His Blessings. Praying in this time will free us from sins and gives Moksha (hence the name Pradosha). During Pradosha time, a special type of circumambulating called "Somasutra Pradakshinam) is performed.
Whoever Prays Lord Shiva in that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and give them mukthi. Anoint Lord Shiva with Love, He would give Himself!
Somasuthra Pradakshnam is a unique way of circumambulating the GOD. Beginning, First saluting the Rishabha Devar (Holy Bull or Nandi) go anti-clockwise and salute Chandishwarar (not crossing the Gomukhi). Now return in the clockwise manner salute Rishabham and continue clockwise till the Gomukhi (not to cross it again). Then return in anti-clockwise direction salute the Rishabham again and proceed towards chandishar. From there return back clockwise without worshiping Rishabham and reach the gomukhi. Finally return back anticlockwise from there to salute Rishabham and continue to Chandishwarar and return back to Rishabham and worship the shiva lingam (at the altar) by viewing through the space between the two horns of the Holy Bull. This is one Pradakshinam. Three such times Pradakshinam to be done. If you carefully observe the curve traced by doing the pradakshinam is very similar to the periphery of the crescent. Hence this way of circumambulating is called Somasutra Pradakshinam.
During the pradhoSham time somasutra pradaxinam is the suggested way of circumambulating the God. In some of the temples this is followed always. A point to note here is that the gomukhi is never crossed. gomukhi is the place where the water after anointing (abhiShekatirtam) would be flowing northwards out. By doing this way of pradaxinam one does not step over this holy water.
As per the above marked symbols this pradaxinam is to be done. First saluting the RiShabha devar (Holy Bull)
What Shiva Purana Says
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.
How to Observe Fast During Pradosha
Fasting---Types
- Visit temple in the morning after taking bath early in the morning
- Recite and read Thevaram, Thiruvachagam, Rudra Chamaka manthras.
- Take pooja dhraviyam (ingredients mentioned above) for abishekam and pooja, especially ARUGAM PULL (grass) for Nandikeswaran garland for the bull and VILVAM garland for Lord Siva.
- Lighting ghee lamps.
- Distribution of prasadam for devotees.
- Supplying hot milk with sugar to those chanting Vedas.
- Not to touch any idol. It will give negative effect
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Always ensure you have darshan of the Lord from behind the Nandi, viewing through the two horns of the bull |
- Maasa Pradosham - 0430-0600 PM - On thrayodasi day immediately following the Amavasya (newmoon)day
- Paksha Pradosham - - 0430-0600 PM - On thrayodasi day immediately following the Pournami (full moon) day
- Sani Pradosham and Maha Pradosham 0430-0600 PM - On thrayodasi day immediately following the Amavasya (newmoon)day or the Pournami (full moon) day that falls on any Saturday. If one worships on this day, it is equivalent to having attended Pradosham for 5 years!
- Every day between 5-30pm and 600 pm is known as DAILY PRADOSHA KALAM.
During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the Following is considered fruitful.
Abisheka Name | Its Effects |
Panchagavyam | Removes all Problems of mankind |
Panchamrutham | Gives wealth |
Ghee | Gives Moksha state |
Milk | Gives long life |
Curd | Gives Good Children |
Honey | Melodious voice |
Rice Powder | Frees from debts |
Sugar Cane Juice | Gives good health and removes enmity |
Lime Juice | Removes fear of death |
Tender Coconut Juice | Gives enjoyment and full satisfaction in life |
Cooked Rice (Annam) | Gives Majestic life |
Sandal Paste | Gives Lakshmi's Grace |
Sugar | Removes enmity |
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