Pradosh

When to do the puja

Quick facts

• Also known asPradosha, Som Pradosh (on a Monday), Shani Pradosh (on a Saturday)
• WhereAll of India, twice a month
• Puja forShiva and Parvati, with Nandi
• In one lineTwilight on Trayodashi, the hour when Shiva and Parvati are believed to be at their kindest.

Pradosh, in a little more detail

1. 01

   About the festival

   Pradosh means the first part of the night: twilight. On the Trayodashi of each fortnight, that hour around sunset belongs to Shiva.

   So the vrat turns on the evening: a fast through the day, and worship around sunset. The hour where day meets night is kept for God.

   And the lesson: however the day went, stop at dusk, light a lamp, and be still. Twice a month at least.

2. 02

   Dharmagupta's story

   King Satyaratha of Vidarbha was killed in battle. His queen fled to the forest, gave birth to a son there, and was then killed by a crocodile. A Brahmin woman named Uma raised the orphan prince, Dharmagupta, together with her own son, Shuchivrata.

   They lived on alms. One day the sage Shandilya told them: in a past life Satyaratha left his Pradosh worship unfinished, and this is the result. He taught both boys the Pradosh vrat.

   Four months on, at the eighth Pradosh, Shuchivrata found a pot of nectar. Dharmagupta married a celestial princess, and with her father's help he won back his kingdom.

3. 03

   In Maharashtra and beyond

   In the evening, puja at a Shiva temple or at home: abhishek for the linga, sandalwood paste and bel leaves. Shiva's whole family is worshipped: Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya and Nandi.

   A fast through the day, and a vigil at night after the puja. Some recite the Mahamrityunjaya mantra one hundred and eight times.

   The name follows the weekday: Som Pradosh on a Monday and Shani Pradosh on a Saturday, both held special.

   In south India, Nandi gets special worship in Shiva temples today. Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar has a Shani Pradosh story too: a small boy prayed for the city under siege, and Shiva stayed there as a self-born linga.

How to do the puja

In short: Fast by day, Shiva at dusk: the abhishek, bel leaves and the Pradosh story.

1. 1Fast through the day; many eat once, after the evening puja.
2. 2Bathe about an hour before sunset.
3. 3Go to a Shiva temple, or set up a linga or Shiva's picture at home, and light a lamp.
4. 4Do the abhishek: pour water, or milk, over the linga.
5. 5Offer sandalwood paste, bel leaves, flowers and incense.
6. 6Worship Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya and Nandi along with Shiva.
7. 7Read or listen to the Pradosh story, and do the aarti.
8. 8Offer naivedya, and break your fast with the prasad.

What you needTick as you go

• A linga or Shiva's picture
• Water and milk for the abhishek
• Sandalwood paste
• Bel leaves
• Flowers
• A diya and ghee
• Incense
• Naivedya
• An aarti plate

Frequently asked questions