Importance of Pradosham - Dedicated to Shiva

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.

Related

How to observe Pradosha Vratam


11 comments:

sudhakar said...

Thanks very much. As you get time, maybe you can also add / elaborate on what triodashi etc means and why perhaps Somavar is dedicated to Lord Siva. thanks, sudhakar

SUNITA said...

TODAY IS TRIYODISHI AND SAWAN SHIVRATRI. I WISH TO PURCHASE NEW CAR TODAY BCOZ COMING DAYS RATES ARE INCREASING.. IS IT OK TO PURCHASE NEW CAR IN ANDHER DAYS.. I AM IN HOUCH POUCH POSITION .PLZ HELP

Anonymous said...

THe qustion I ask is that why are there so many myths to SIVA-Ratheri, and Perthosha ? Whats the importance of it? Why couldn't people just give the correct answer of what Perthosha Vrata is truely is ?

Neha Goyal said...

Thanks for this nice information

dr.sundaram said...

excellant information. please keep it up.

Rhythanya said...

Zillion Thanks for ur information.
All my doubts are cleared now.
OM NAMA SIVAYA

Anonymous said...

Thanks For your information. I learned new news about prodosham.

Thankyou
Prabhakaran.K

Anonymous said...

so this fast is for the prosperity of your children

PACHAISSM said...

only satuday pradhosams are very auspicious, IF you do not believe go to Mylopore lord Kablaeewaran temple and see the crowd of devoties throng to worship the Lord and karpagambal evening on that day for the blessing of the god.

Anonymous said...

Please explain as to when exactly Pradosha is considered ? Is it that Pradosha will always be there in Shukla and Vadya Paksha ?

Praveena said...

Pradosha is there during both Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. Some people observe both some only observe anyone.

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