Pradosha vrata is a Hindu vrata for the worship of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The Pradosha worship is done in the evening twilight or sandhya kala on the Trayodashi of both lunar fortnights (Shukla and Krishna Paksha). These are the 13th tithi, or lunar days, from the New Moon (Amavasya) and Full Moon (Poornima).
Maha Pradhosh is the Pradosha which falls before or on Maha Sivarathri in the month of Maagha in traditional Hindu Calendar.
Pradosh Vrat
Different Types of Pradosh Vratham:
There are Seven types of Pradosh Vrat performed in a year. Here are the most important seven types of Pradosh Vrat of all them.
Som Pradosh:pradosha vratham:
When the Pradosh Vrat falls on Monday is known as Som Pradosh Vrat. To become a positive thinker, individuals do this vrat. All the desires of the Lord Shiva’s devotees fulfilled if they do this Vrat effectively.
Bhaum Pradosh:
When the Pradosh Vrat falls on Tuesday is known as Bhaum Pradosham. The benefits of Bhaum Pradosh is that it gives relief from health problems.
Saumya Vaara Pradosh:
When the Pradosh Vrat falls on Wednesday is known as Saumya Vaara Pradosham. The benefits of Saumya Vaara Pradosh is that it enhances concentration, and focus on life goals.
Guruvaara Pradosh:
When the Pradosh vrat falls on a Thursday, it is known as Guruvaara Pradosh Vrat. The benefits Guruvaara Pradosh is that it removes the negativity and let you live a life stress-free.
Bhrigu Vaara Pradosh:
When the Pradosha Vrat falls on Friday, it is known as Bhrigu Vaara Pradosha Vrat. This Vrat eliminates fear and other mental condition.
Shani Pradosha:
When the Pradosha Vrat falls on Saturday, it is known as Shani Pradosh Vrat. It brings promotion and the lost wealth is received.
Bhaanu Vaara pradosha :
When the Pradosha Vrat falls on Sunday. Devotees receive longevity and peace in life.
Of all the pradosha’s Shani Pradosh and Soma Pradosh are considered to be important. Sani Pradosham is the Pradosha Vrata falling on Saturday, and Soma Pradosh is observed when Pradosha falls on a Monday.
Pradosh Vrat Vidhi:
According to Hindu Scriptures and beliefs, this festival starts when the sun rises in the morning and is continued through the whole day.
The performance of the vrata involves a fast followed by a vigil. A bath is taken two hours before sunset and Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Skanda, and Nandi are worshipped during pradosha kala.
As per the Scriptures, there are two different methods of fasting on the Pradosh Vrat.
In the first method, the devotees observe a strict fast for the whole day and night, that is, 24 hours and which also includes keeping a vigil at night.
In the second method, the fasting is observed from the sunrise to sunset, and the fast is broken after worshipping Lord Shiva in the evening.
The Vratam should be observed not only to abstain from food but also regarded as a means of purifying the mind by eschewing bad thoughts and contemplating on divine grace.
Vrata means “vow, resolve, devotion”, and refers to the practice of austerity, particularly in matters related to foods, habits and drinks by people in Hindu and Jaina culture, as part of a pious observance or prayers seeking health, wealth, fertility, long life or happiness.
Hence Vratam should not be misunderstood as just fasting on food, it is a process to purify the mind through prayer, worship, meditation etc.
Several Vedas and Upanishads mention that observing Vrat with sheer dedication holds highest relevance and reverence to offer pious devotion. Such a chaste vow holds the power of fulfilling every desire of the devotee.
The Vrat makes us to move near to the almoghty God. The devotees who observes a Vrat is called a Vrat-Dhari.
Broadly speaking, Vrat means a vow to accept some rules of restrictive discipline. In spiritual field, Vrat means to apply control over our sense organs, with a solemn vow to observe regulatory discipline.
This vow includes not only fasting, and also more importantly not involving in entertainments and sensual pleasures. Devotees should obtain from going for movie or watching television. Vrata should be observed by not getting angry, not hurting anyone, not gossiping, loving neighbours, animals, birds, and being compassionate, etc. ,
This ritual offers a great opportunity to discipline the mind and keep oneself in tune with the religious and spiritual plane.
The pradosha kala celebration begins at sandhya kala and 2 hours before sunset and the devotees take a bath and then go for the vrat and other rituals.
On this day Shiva parivar Nandi Deva is worshiped, the devotees chant Shiva’s mantra as a way to express respect and gratitude.
This mantra chanting ritual is said to pave the way to attain moksha and please the Lord to grant all wishes and seek blessings.
Mythology explains that this is the day when Lord Shiva and Parvati are in their best and most pleasant mood.
This holy day is believed to be a day of success, well-being, welfare and happiness and all propitious work should be done on this day.
A devotee should wear rudraksha, Vibhuti(Sacred Ash) and worship Lord Shiva by abisheka, sandal paste, vilva leaves, fragrance, deepa and naivaedyaas (food offerings).
The most important feature of the day is to visit Lord Shiva temple. Participating in the rituals and celebrations for both Lord Shiva and Parvati is something that devotees swear by.
As the Nandi Puja goes on in pradosha kala, it really becomes one mind and one soul experience among the devotees present there.
Pradosha Kalam: The auspicious 3 hour period, 1.5 hours before and after the sunset is one of the optimum time for worship of Lord Shiva.
Benefits of Pradosh Vrat:
One of the significant Pradosham benefits of removing sin and reliefs from health problems.
All the negativity and mental issues can be eliminated if a person do Pradosh Vrat.
It is said that one who does Pradosh Vrat with consistency and commitment is bound to possess contentment, wealth and prosperity.
This Vrat is incredibly commended by the Hindu Sacred scriptures and is held very scared for the devotes of Lord Shiva. It is known the fact that after doing this Vrat devotee will receive graceful blessings from Lord Shiva.