Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the subjects of Pradosh Vrat. One of the well-known fasts in Sanatan Dharma is this one. The day is marked on the trayodashi tithi, the 13th day of Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha according to the Purnimant calendar (as per the Amavasyant calendar). The Hindu calendar indicates that the fast occurs twice a month. Anybody, regardless of gender or age, can observe it.
Devotees in some regions of India observe fasts and worship Natraj, a form of Lord Shiva. There are two alternative ways to follow the fast: one is a severe one in which devotees fast for 24 hours before breaking it; the other requires that they fast from dawn to sunset, except in the evening when they worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Meaning of Pradosh Vrat:
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati experience joy, happiness, and generosity on the day of Pradosh. Therefore, by following the fast, the followers seek blessings. According to the Skanda Puran, anyone who observes the fast on Pradosh with complete dedication and faith is supposed to obtain excellent health, fulfillment, and money. According to popular belief, if you make Lord Shiva happy, he will forgive your sins and grant you his blessings and good fortune. Those who observe the fast go to the Shiva temple, worship the shivalinga and offer panchamrit and bilva patra. Then, in the evening, the worshippers conduct pooja, light an oil lamp, listen to the Pradosh vrat Katha, give the deity kheer, and say Om Namah Shivaye.
It is said and believed that those who follow the exact procedure and follow the custom accurately in any puja will receive the maximum benefits. So, it would be good to consult an experienced astrologer before performing any puja ritual. Contact Nakshatrika to connect with the best Astrologer in India, as Nakshatrika provides these services to set up an online puja. Nakshatrika is available for live or online darshans for those who cannot travel or visit temples.
Pradosh Vrat puja vidhi
- Due to the great understanding of the twilight period (just before dawn and sunset) on the Pradosh Vrat day, all puja and rituals are performed during that time.
- The devotees must take a bath an hour before nightfall and prepare for the puja. The first ritual involves doing a puja for Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartik.
- Then, Lord Shiva is prayed to alone and invoked in a sacred vessel called a “Kalasha.” This Kalasha has a lotus drawn and is placed on darbha grass while filling with water.
- Additionally, some individuals worship the Shivling. The Shivling is bathed in milk, curd, or ghee. Bilva leaves are offered to the Lord during the puja because they are considered extremely auspicious.
- Following this ceremony, the devotees read from the Shiva Purana or listen to the Pradosh Vrat Katha. The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is said 108 times after that.
- Following the completion of the puja, devotees drink water from the Kalash and place sacred ash on their foreheads. Then, several followers go to the Shiv Mandir to receive darshan. On the day of the Pradosh Vrat, many people think that lighting even one lamp is tremendously enlightening.
Advantages of the Pradosh vrat
People who practice the Pradosh Vrat have their requests granted by Lord Shiva. With the help of Lord Shiva’s favor, one can be freed from all types of miseries and suffering. Fasting on this day benefits your health and can help you recover from many illnesses. Hindu mythology states that a devotee who hears or recites the tale of Pradosh Vrat after Shiv puja on the day of the Vrat will not experience poverty for a hundred reincarnations. Those who observe a fast are blessed with a comfortable existence and Moksha on this day.
Pradosh Vrat date and timings
Sunrise: Nov 05, 6:38 AM
Sunset: Nov 05, 5:42 PM
Trayodashi Tithi Start: Nov 05, 5:07 PM
Trayodashi Tithi End: Nov 06, 4:29 PM
Pradosha Puja Time: Nov 05, 5:42 PM – Nov 05, 8:17 PM
Contact Nakshatrika if you have further queries or concerns about Pradosh Vrat and its puja or offerings. At Nakshatrika, the top astrologer in India is on hand to guide you through every stage of the Pradosh Vrat procedure. Nakshatrika offers online puja services for those who want to perform puja but are unsure of the precise vidhi and samagri.
