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 recited 108 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.
65 comments:
very wll explained
har har mahadev...........
nice explanation of pradoshavrata......
I was wondering whether the previous day of the pradosha is also fasting day??
can u please explain more what is the importance f this fast
Pleae explain more benifits of this fast
You said "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."
Can we sleep after 24 hours, once the fast is broken under the first instance?
Can we sleep in the night after the fast is broken in the evening in the second instane?
Namaste Asha, You can always be flexible with a Hindu fast. There are no strict rules. You can fast in the way your daily routine demands.
Fasting in Santana Dharma concentrates more on mental and spiritual purification.
If you are able to lessen the gap between you and Brahman (the Supreme Soul) on a fasting day that is a great achievement.
Hello,
I got a calendar from my temple and some of the dates are a day after the day you gave. eg. Feb. your date is 22 and the temple says 21. can you help me out here please?
The timings and date on Hindu Blog are based on Indian Standard Time. If your are in USA or Canada or the West Indies some festival will be a day early from the India...so the difference in dates.
Panchamrutha abhisheka is done at 4.30 pm - 6 pm in most temples , first to Nandi followed by the lingam and then chanting of the Rudra / Chamaka / Laghunyasa . The environment is filled with bhakti and love for shiva .In addition ,it is also said that on pradosh day all the Gods go to kailash and after a dip in the holy waters of the Manasarovara , they proceed to have darshan of Shiva/parvati. even one bilva patra with white flowers offered with a pure heart reaches HIM.
HAR HAR MAHADEV
Thank u so much for such a nice explanation of pradoshavratha.
Can a mother do this vrat for her daughter and still have the same punya
can someone tell me what to eat during fast and in the evening after pooja.
HAR HAR MAHADEV
JAI BHOLE BHANDARI
Thanks for the inputs
Thank you for the information and I regularly visit this site.
nice explanation.....
Jai Bhole.. Pradosham Calender is very useful
The grass on the pot is not "Garbha". Its called "Dharbha" (a holy grass). Anyhow, good info.
Thanks for your efforts making understand Pradosha.
People said not to take salt on the fasting day and some one not to take tamarind..plz explain this to me
can we just do one shani pradosh vrat n skip next
Nice info...Helps to people like me who are abroad
Salaikumar
Har Har Mahadev! Thank you for all the explanations & correct procedures.Sunny Kaks.
OM Namah Shivaya! the info you've presented was very useful. Thank you.
very helpful and simple. good work for shiv bhakt. hari om
THANK U SO MUCH TO LET ME KNOW THIS PRECIOUS SECRETE
pls tell more about 'Dharbha' grass. Thanks.
please tell more about Shiv Thandav stotram.we can eat salt in pardoshvart.
Shiv Thandav stotram was written by Ravana and it talks about the greatness of Shiva.
If you are observing partial fast yes you can.
Use Saindha namak or rock salt.
It is what is recommended for during fasts.
A fast wihout salt is always better.
Rahul,
(bruntno1@yahoo.com)
om namah shivaya
what abt the time when girls r undergoing menstruation then how to observe fast and worship god shiva
You can perform the vrat during menstruation.
Women perform the fast but avoid visiting temples or performing puja. This depends on the family tradition.
Very well explained. Good article. Gives clear information on how to perform pooja.
Women should not engage in religious rituals until their menstrual periods are over. That includes fasting.Body is not in best/ suitable condition during menstrual periods. Same logic applies when one is ill. People who are on medications, are often allwed to eat fruits or light vrat food least once during the day before breaking fast in evening.
will the fasting during menstrual period be counted.
Yes the fasting during menstrual period is counted.
How to fast during Pradosham? I am refering to food.I am doing Abeshegam in India for Lord Shiva in India with a help of my friend and in Singapore I offer a packet of milk to do Abeshegam.Can I do that?
Yes you can do that. You must understand that what is important is devotion not method of fasting. Shiva was pleased with a hunter offering bilva leaves accidentally to a Shivling.
Regarding food you can eat fruits and drink milk. In India people make Sabudana khichadi.
Aum Sai ram, First times visitor, and have been enlighten on so many things in reference to this blog, the explain could not have been clearer, atleast for me. Thank you for sharing the wonderful page. Sai Ram.
thank u 4r sharing such wonderful informative and interesting information .once again thanks a lot sir my pranams 2 u .
thanks a lot 4r a such an informative & interesting information !
i want to ask a ques that in the books it is written to offer the prayers and break the fsat before sunset if pradosh occurs on sunday is it so ,,, as pradosh vrat offering period is after sunset only?
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Very well explained
How many times one should take Pradosha Vratam
you can do it for three months to any number of years.
How to fast for Pradosham? As I am working can I eat food like chapatti or puri that is one day meal and at night have fruits and milk?
should we observe fast on all prodosh day?
what is the udyapan vidhi of pardosh vart?
what is the udyapan vidhi of pardosh vart?
The best udyapan is to offer prayers at a Shiva temple and offer food to poor children or elderly on the day.
Even feeding animals is also very good.
what we can eat at the end of fast.....???
unmarried girl can perform pradosh vrat?
Pls clear, what to eat to break fast? Normally shiva fast is broken by eating meethi ( sugary ) chapati after sunset. Can we do same in this fast too?
unmarried Girls can observe Pradosh Vrat, in fact tha Mahima of this Vrat is such that if they do they will get their desired life partner... "Har Har Mahadev" "Om Namaha Shivay"
vaibhava505@gmail.com
hello,plz tell me udayapan vidhis of trayodishi fast i hav kept 11 fasts...tell me 2-3 vidhis,as i will perform dat suits me much.dese fasts give peace to my mind. can i pursue dem again after sometym ???? tell me a soon as possible..
i had my fast today but i forgot to do did and realised later in the evening by then i had all kind of food. how do i make up for this mistake. will it have any negative effect on my reason for starting this fast.
IF THE MOTHER PRAYS AND FASTS FOR HER DAUGHTER FOR A GOOD MATCH IS IT EFFECTIVE?
@anonymous the mistake u done was not good.becoz when u prepare for some thing u have to be ready set before u do that.any ways u just read sivashtakam for 3 times on monday early morning before sunrise for 3 times.even i did this many times and suffered alot due to problems.
jai bholenath........darshan bas karne se hi bhaktibhav se jude logo ke kasto ko dur kar dijiyega godji... :)
Very informative and exlained in simple, lucid manner. Pz keep informing in future too. thanx.
I have heard this vrat fulfills the wish for desired child. Would like to know the following:
1) How early should it be started before conception?
2) Can it be done during pregnancy also?
3)For what period should it be done i.e. when to do the uddyapan?
4) Have heard that this vrat cannot be skipped even if menstruating or out of town? Is it true?
5)Should I observe the fast on all puja dates or only on dates falling on Monday/Saturday?
6) Any other guideline which should be noted for observing this fast.
Thanks & Regards
Thanks a lot for such useful information !! Har Har Mahadev !!
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