Pradosham is the special day to pray to Lord Shiva especially in the evening during 4.30 pm to 6 pm. Pradosha kalam is considered very auspicious for praying to Nandhi also.

What is Pradosham?

Pradosham occurs in Thrayodashi thithi in both Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha and thus occurs twice in a month. In all Shiva temples, special abhishekams and poojas are conducted during 4.30 to 6 pm for Lord Shiva on this day. Those who pray to Shiva during this time get relieved of their human bondage and attain mukthi.

What is the meaning of Pradosh Kaal?

Pradosha kalam is between 4.30 and 6 in the evening and we know all Shiva temples conduct special poojas during this time.

Do you know when to start Pradosha Vrata in your life?

During Sani Pradosham in any of the months of Aippasi, Karthigai, chithirai and Vaikasi, you can start Pradosha Vrata.

What is the procedure for Pradosha Vrata?

You should not eat in the day time. During Pradosha kalam in the evening after taking bath and partaking in the special poojas at the temple, you can breakfast and eat with the devotees of Shiva.

What not to do during Pradosha kalam?

Eating, sleeping, bathing, applying oil, doing mantra japas, embarking on a travel and reading should not be done during Pradosha kalam.

What is the Significance of Pradosham?

Pradosham is an auspicious period as all the hosts of celestial beings and gods come down from the heavens and attend the worship in their subtle forms. Lord Shiva is known to be in the most ecstatic of moods.

सत्यं ब्रवीमि परलोकहितं ब्रवीमि सारम ब्रवीम्युपनिषद्ध दयं ब्रवीमि ।

संसारमुल्बणमसारमवाप्य जंतो: सारोयमीश्‍वरपदांबुरुहस्य सेवा ॥१

Sathyam braveemi, paraloka hitham braveemi, Saaram braveemi upanishadyadhyam braveemi,

Samsaramuthbanamasar vaapya jantho,  Saroyameeswarapadhamburuhasya seva

During the time of Pradosham, The Lord who holds the trident, makes Goddess Gowri, Who is the mother of all the three worlds, sit on a golden seat inlaid with precious gems, and prepares to dance himself, and all the devas sing his praise at this time.

God fulfills the wishes of those who pray to Him during this time and awards them with mukthi.  People offer milk, curd, and honey for anointing Shiva during Pradosham and also offer flowers and garlands for decorating the Lord.

What is the story of Pradosham?

There is a mythological reference to Pradosha Pooja. While trying to get amrutham from the ocean of milk using the serpent Vasuki and Manthar hill, the Devas came upon Halahala poison which was eaten by Lord Shiva in order to rescue them. As per the order of Shiva, the Devas continued their attempts to get amrutham and got it on Dwadashi (12 TH Moon day). They forgot to thank the Lord as they were overwhelmed with happiness. Next day on Thrayodashi, on the 13th Moon day, they realized their fault and pleaded with Lord Shiva to forgive them. The graceful Lord forgave them and danced in between the horns of Nandi (the divine bull), being pleased with their prayers. This time is called Pradosham.

What is Sani Pradosham?

When Pradosham falls on Saturday, it is called Shani Pradosham and is considered special since it helps one get rid of the negative effects caused by Saturn, who is one of the Navagrahas.

What is the Significance of Sani Pradosham?

Many people suffer from the troubles caused by Saturn in their lives. It is because Lord Shani is the agent who teaches us the tough lessons in life as a result of our karma. Praying to Lord Shiva on Saturday, the day belonging to Lord Shani will remove all karmic ill effects in life. Observing Pradosham fasting on this day will surely benefit a person who suffers from the clutches of Lord Shani, especially those who are under Saturn’s influence for a period of seven and a half years (ஏழரைநாட்டு சனி).

What is the benefit of Pradosha Vrata?

It helps to remove karma or karmic energies that limit our potential. 

 त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनॆत्रं च त्रियायुधं
त्रिजन्म पापसंहारम् ऎकबिल्वं शिवार्पणं

 

Tridalam triguNaakaaram trinetram cha triyaayudham

trijanma paapasamhaaram eka Bilvam shivaarpaNam

Let us observe fast on this Shani Pradosham that falls on April 8 and mitigate the problems caused by Lord Shani in our life.