Pradosh Fast Festival

Pradosh Vrat, which is also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.

Pradosh Vrat is observed on both Trayodashi Tithis, i.e. Shukla Paksha Trayodashi and Krishna Paksha Trayodashi, in lunar month. Some people distinguish between Shukla and Krishna Paksha Pradosham. When Pradosham day falls on Monday it is called Soma Pradosham, on Tuesday it is called Bhauma Pradosham and on Saturday it is called as Shani Pradosham.

Pradosh Vrat and Pradosham Vrat is a famous Hindu fast which is done to get blessings of Lord Shiva. Pradosh Vrat comes twice every month, on Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. This fast is celebrated on the day of Trayodashi on both paksha. If Pradosha fast falls on Monday day then it is called Soma Pradosham. When it comes on Tuesday, it is called Bhuma Pradosham and on Saturday, it is called Shani Pradosham. This fast depends on the time of sunset.

Different Types of Pradosh Vrat

It is called Soma Pradosham or Chandra Pradosham when the day falls on Monday.
On Tuesdays, it is termed as Bhauma Pradosham.
When the day falls on a Saturday, it is known as Shani Pradosham.

Location based Pradosham Days

It is important to understand that fasting day for Pradosham might differ for two cities even if those cities are within same Indian state. Fasting for Pradosham depends on sunset time and it is observed when Trayodashi Tithi prevails after sunset. Hence Pradosham fasting might be observed on Dwadashi Tithi i.e. one day before Trayodashi Tithi. As Sunset time is different for all cities, it is important to refer Hindu calendar like this website which lists location based Pradosham days. As generating location based dates are time consuming most sources ignore this fact and publish single list for all cities.

Worship Time of Pradosh Vrat

The worship of Lord Shiva in Pradosh Vrat is done in the evening, about 45 minutes before sunset and 45 minutes after sunset.

Importance Of Pradosh Vrat

Pradosh Vrat is considered very auspicious. This is an important vrat among all vratas (fasts) that is mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. It is said that worshiping lord Shiva on Pradosh Kaal time washes away all your sins and bestows moksha or mukti after death. Keeping Pradosh vratam or donating two cows helps you reap the same reward. There is a popular saying that a person who performs vrat on Pradosham dates "Shiva will be his". Thus, one should always perform Shiv Puja after checking Pradosh time today.

Benefits On Different Vars (Days Of Week)

Longevity and good health can be obtained by fasting on Sundays.
Your prayers are answered by keeping the vrat on Monday.
Fasting on Tuesday brings relief from diseases.
Your wishes are fulfilled if you keep the Pradosh vrat on Wednesday.
Pradosh Vrat on Thursday destroys enemies.
Pradosh Vrat on Friday blesses you with good fortune and happiness in married life.
If you want a child, then observe this vrat on Saturday.

Pradosh Vrat Rituals and Puja

On the day of Pradosham, twilight period - that is the time just before sunrise and sunset, is considered to be auspicious. All the prayers and pujas are observed during this time.
One hour before sunset, devotees take a bath and get ready for the puja.
A preliminary puja is performed where Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesh, Lord Kartik and Nandi. After which there is a ritual where Lord Shiva is worshipped and invoked in a sacred pot or 'Kalasha'. This Kalasha is kept on darbha grass with lotus drawn on it and is filled with water.
In some places, the worship of the Shivling is also performed. The Shivling is given a bath with sacred substances like milk, curd and ghee. Puja is performed and the devotees offer Bilva leaves on the Shivling. Some people also use a picture or painting of Lord Shiva for worshipping. It is believed that offering Bilva leaves on the day of Pradosh vrat is highly auspicious.
After this ritual, the devotees listen to the Pradosh vrat katha or read stories from the Shiva Purana.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is enchanted 108 times.
After the puja is over, water from the Kalasha is partaken and the devotees apply the sacred ash on their forehead.
After the puja, most of the devotees visit the Lord Shiva temples for darshan. It is believed that lighting even a single lamp on the day of Pradosham is very rewarding.

Foods to eat on this auspicious day

Though most of Hindu devotees do not eat food during Pradosh fasting, for the few who cannot observe a fast for 24 hours, they can have some restrictive and light diet after the evening puja. The followings are few sattvic great food ideas:

Fruit Salad: Fruit salads are great for fasting days. It not only fills your stomach but also provides all the essential nutrients.
Aloo Raita: It is prepared with curd, potatoes, salt, and ghee and this brings freshness and strength to the vrat holder.
Kuttu Puri: This is one of the famous and mouth-watering food that one can eat for a vrat.
Sweet Potato: Boiled sweet potato pieces are the best snack to have on this day.
Mango Lassi: It is the perfect beverage as it fills a stomach and keeps hydrated.

The day of Pradosh is celebrated with joy and devotion among followers of the Hindu religion, and devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Besides keeping a fast, prayer, and chanting of mantras during evening hour (sandhyakaal) is an important part of this ritual. Lord Shiva and His consort fulfils all wishes of a devotee because of their benevolent mood on this day.

Pradosh Vrat Fasting Rules

Though Pradosh comes twice in a month, some devotees observe only the Pradosh falling during the waning phase of the moon. In the stricter kind of fasting, the devotee observes the fast from the morning on Pradosh day and breaks it only on the next morning after cooking the food freshly performing Shiva Puja and offering it to Lord Shiva. In the milder version, the devotees can take milk and fruits for the day and conclude the fasting in the evening of Pradosh day after Shiva worship at the temples.