The most auspicious bimonthly festival that is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva is known as Pradosh Vrat. There are two Pradosh Vrat that fall in a month. This can be the waxing phase (Shukla paksha) and the latter during the waning phase (Krishna Paksha).
The term Pradosh means the evening time around sunset. The time starts 90 minutes before sunset to 60 minutes after sunset. This is one of the special occasions in Shiva temples.
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PRADOSH VRAT 2023: DATE AND TIME
- Magha, Shukla Trayodashi
- Pradosh Vrat begins: 04:26 pm, February 02, 2023
- Pradosh Vrat ends: 06:57 pm, February 03, 2023
- Duration: 2 hours 37 minutes
PRADOSH VRAT 2023: SIGNIFICANCE
The highlight of this day lies in the Pradosh Puja at the temples. This process involves Abhishekham to Lord Shiva and Nandi (Sacred Bull).
Then a procession takes place of Lord Shiva mounted on Nandi across the temple premises. A huge gathering is seen and people start chanting and singing at the temples.
People who keep this fast are rewarded with good wealth and health. They are spiritually uplifted by following the puja.
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PRADOSH VRAT 2023: RITUALS
- The devotees stay awake during the night and observe a strict 24-hour fast
- The fasting takes place from sunrise to sunset and is broken after the worship of Lord Shiva in the evening
- The day starts with prayers and ends with puja
- An idol of Lord Shiva is kept in the house. A sacred pot is placed in front of the Kalash with Duva grass
- The Shivling is worshipped with sacred substances like milk, curd, and ghee
- Bel leaves are also offered to the devotees
- Then they sing Maha Mritinjaya Mantra which needs to be chanted 108 times
