Devout Hindus dedicate ‘Pradosham’ (‘Pradosh,’ ‘Pradosha Vrata’ or ‘Pradosham Vratam’) to Lord Shiva.
It occurs twice a month falling on the 13th day of each Lunar fortnight as per the traditional Hindu Lunar calendar.
Staff Reporter –
The next three occurrences of Pradosham will be on June 18, July 2 and July 17, 2016. All Hindu Temples will have information on this day.
A number of websites dedicated to Hinduism also feature the days of Pradosham.
Pradosham takes place during the two phases of the Moon (waxing and waning).
When Pradosham Vratam falls on a Saturday, it is known as ‘Shani Pradosham’ or ‘Sani Pradosham Vratam’.
According to Hindu Astrology and Horoscope, Lord Shani is believed to create problems for people in life. Hindu scripts say that the adverse effects of Lord Shani can be minimised by observing Vratam and offering prayers on Shani Pradosham.
High Sanctity
The importance of observing Pradosham is described in Pradosham ‘Mahatmayam’ from Shiva Purana and hence Shiva devotees observe ‘Pradosham Pooja’ with high sanctity. Pradosham indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.
Occurring between 430 pm and 6 pm on Thrayodashi (13th day of the Lunar month), the Pradosham time is propitious to pray Lord Shiva and invoke His blessings. Among all the Poojas performed, the ‘Pradosham Pooja’ is considered more auspicious.
It is believed that during Pradosham, all Gods and universal beings come down to Earth and attend the worship.
The Significance
According to Hindu Puranas, the Gods (Devas) and the Demons (Asuras) were stirring the milky ocean to extract ‘Amrita’ (Nectar), with Vasuki (the Serpent King) as a rope. Vasuki, undergoing severe scratches due to the churning, emitted a powerful poison capable of destroying the world. The helpless celestials appealed to Lord Shiva to save them. He swallowed the poison but Goddess Parvathi stopped the poison in Lord’s throat, which turned blue.
Lord Shiva is therefore known as ‘Thiru Neelakantan’ or ‘Neelakantan’ (the one with Blue Throat).
Lord Shiva swallowed the poison on a Saturday and this is called Shani Pradosham.
Shani Pradosham is classified into ‘Utthama Shani Pradosham,’ ‘Mathima Shani Pradosham,’ and ‘Athama Shani Pradosham.’
Utthama Sani Pradosham occurs during the Tamil month of ‘Chittirai’ (April-May), ‘Vaikasi’ (May-June), ‘Ayppasi’ (October-November) and ‘Karthigai’ (November-December) during the waxing period.
‘Mathima Sani Pradosham’ occurs during the above Tamil months of during waning period of the Moon.
All other Shani Pradoshams come under ‘Athama Shani Pradosham.’
Maha Pradosham
‘Maha Pradosham’ is an annual observance during February-March (Magha in Sanskrit, Kumbha Masam in Malayalam, and Maasi in Tamil) before Maha Shearwater.
Pradosham Pooja is conducted regularly in all Shiva Temples.
Photo:
Lord Shiva consuming the poison
