Pradosh Vrat

Pradosh Vrat (Pradosham) is the auspicious day and dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Pradosh Vrat is observed on the 13th day of the lunar fortnight.  Pradosh Vrat occurs twice in a month. Pradosham literally means the removal of sins. It is believed that in Pradosh Kaal, Lord Shiva perform the dance on Mount Kailash in a pleasant mood. Lord Shiva devotees observe a fast on this day on the pretext of achieving peace, success, and fulfillment of desire.

How to do Shiva Vrat

The puja is conducted by bathing the shivling by water and offer bilva leaves to it. Offering the bilva leave on the occasion of Pradosh vrat is regarded as highly auspicious. After the prayers are done the Pradosh Vrat Katha or chapter of Shiva Puran are read out loud. Then the devotees recite the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times.

During the day of Pradosh Vrat, it is also believed that Lord Shiva is extremely happy and blesses all these devotees and fulfills their desires.

Pradosh Katha

The Pradosh Katha is associated with the churning of the ocean or Samudra-Manthan. According to the Hindu Puranas, The gods and demons were stirring the milky ocean to extract amrita (nectar) with Vasuki (the serpent king) as a rope. As Vasuki underwent severe scratches due to the churning, she emitted a powerful poison which is capable of destroying the world. Then the gods approached Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva consumed the poison is an act to protect the universe. As a result, Shiva’s throat turned blue.

Pradosh Vrat 2023 Shukla Paksha Dates

1. 04th of January 2023 (Wednesday)
2. 02nd of February 2023 (Thursday)
3. 04th of March 2023 (Saturday)
4. 03rd of April 2023 (Monday)
5. 03rd of May 2023 (Wednesday)
6. 01st of June 2023 (Thursday)
7. 01st of July 2023 (Saturday)
8. 30th of July 2023 (Sunday)
9.  13th of August 2023 (Sunday)
10. 12th of September 2023 (Tuesday)
11. 11th of October 2023 (Wednesday)
12. 10th of November 2023 (Friday)
13. 10th of December 2023 (Sunday)

Benefit of Pradosh Vrat:-

● The Fasting on this day is observed for peace, success and fulfillment of desires.
● This Vrat can advisable for those who delay in marriage, Longevity, cure illness and healthy life.
● Pradosha Pooja fulfills the wishes of a person observing the fast.
● The Vrat is observed for getting Wealth, happiness, prosperity and all rounds success.

It is auspicious to perform Pradosh Vrat Puja on the day of trayodashi. We have above mentioned the auspicious dates. You can also book our experienced and well-versed purohit for the same.

Kumbha Sankranti

Kumbha Sankranti marks the beginning of the eleventh month in Hindu Solar Calendar. All twelve Sankrantis in the year are highly auspicious for Dan-Punya activities. Only certain time duration before or after each Sankranti moment is considered auspicious for Sankranti related activities.

For Kumbha Sankranti sixteen Ghatis before the Sankranti moment are considered Shubh and the time window of sixteen Ghati before Sankranti to Sankranti is taken for all Dan-Punya activities.

During Kumbha Sankranti offering to cows are considered highly auspicious. Also taking bath in Ganges especially in Triveni where Ganga and Yamuna converge is considered highly auspicious.

Maha Shivratri Puja

Shivratri is an auspicious festival; it is a combination of Shiv and Shakti. As the name suggests. The Maha Shivratri that falls on the Magh Mass is known as Maha Shivratri, and it is celebrated once a year. The day is dedicated to the celebration and devotion of Lord Shiva. It is believed that on the day of Maha Shivratri, Lord Shiva does the Tandav Dance or the dance of Preservation and destruction.

Maha Shivratri Story: 
The celebration of the Maha Shivratri is based on the belief of the churning of the ocean or Samudra Manthan. It is believed that on this day Lord Shiva drank the deadly poison that came out of the ocean churning, this poison otherwise would have destroyed the entire humankind and universe.

Jyotirlingam:
Once upon a time on the 14th day of the Magha month, Vishnu and Brahma had a dispute to know who the supreme God of the entire universe was. To stop the fight Lord Shiva showed his Lingam form through which divine light was emitting hence declaring his supremacy over the world.

The churning of Ocean/ Samudra Manthan:
In a battle, the Devas or Gods were defeated and Asuras or devils gained control over them and the world. The Asuras even had control over heaven and destroyed everything. Out of there abode and no place to go, the Devas went to seek the help from Lord Vishnu, He advised to treat the Asuras in the most diplomatic manner. Both Gods and Devils came together for a peace treaty that said that the ocean contains Amrit or the nectar of Immortality, and share it among the two parties. The mountain Mandara was used as the churning rod and Vasuki became the rope of churning after some time of the pull and push came to the Poison called halalal, the poison was so deadly that just one drop would wipe the entire mankind, so the Devas and asuras went to Lord Shiva for seeking help. Lord Shiva drank the poison before God Shiva could gulp it down; Maa Parvati put her hand on his throat so that the poison does not trickle down. The act of consuming poison made his throat blue and hence was called NeelKanth. To commemorate this event Shivratri is celebrated.

Maha Shivratri Puja Vidhi:
On the day of the Maha Shivratri Vrath, it is prescribed that the devotees, take a dip and bath in the holy water. Set up the altar for placing the idol, the best time to do these activities should be done in the wee hours of the morning. If the Idol is available then the devotee can perform Abhishek, with articles like water, milk, Ghee, Curd, honey, turmeric, rose water and other fragrant elements. On the photo of Lord Shiva smear Sandalwood, Vermilion and offer flowers, burn Diyas, and incense stick. Make Prasad and do the puja and aarti, the puja should be done during the midnight on this day.

Maha Shivratri Puja Benefits: The worship of on this day brings in a lot of benefits like:

●    It makes the body free from diseases and cures even the age-old disease.
●    Relieves from pain and sufferings
●    Doing meditation on this day will bring in a high level of concentration and reduces stress
●    Freedom from Cycle of Rebirth is procured, the devotee attains Moksha.
●    The sins are reduced and removed.
●    It helps in getting rid of negativity and evils like jealousy etc.
●    This puja is performed for married women pray for the well being of their husbands.
●    This puja is also performed for unmarried women pray for an ideal husband like Shiva.