Pradosham occurs on the meeting of the Dwadashi end and Trayodashi beginning. The time of Pradosham is approximately three hours beginning from one & half hours before Sunset to one & half hours after Sunset. Pradosham means “removal of sins and their effects”. The ensuing Pradosham is on Thursday, 28th November 2024. The exact timing of Pradosham has to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
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Pradosham -The associated story
As per the legend, Devas and Asuras churned the cosmic ocean to extract amrut (nectar). The first to emerge was the poisonous halahala.
To alleviate the sufferings of Devas, Bhagwan Shiva himself had consumed the poison.
However, His consort Goddess Parvathi Devi ensured that the poison did not go beyond His throat. Due to Her efforts, the poison stayed in his throat and turned His neck blue hued. Hence Bhagwan Shiva is also called as Sri Neela Kanta.
After sometime, Devas realized the enormity of the situation. They felt guilty for making Bhagwan Shiva to consume poison. To seek forgiveness from Bhagwan Shiva they went to Sri Kailash.
Pradosham – how it emerged
Bhagwan Shiva was very gallant. He was happy to see the Devas. As they surrendered for mercy, He pardoned them.
He also expressed His happiness by performing a cosmic dance in between the horns of Sri Nandikeswara, His Vaahan (carrier).
It is believed that this event happened at the time when Dwadashi and Trayodashi met. Hence Pradosham is being observed on this day.
How is it observed?
Apart from the main Shiva Deity, Sri Nandi is also worshipped with abhishekam and archana.
Procession of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi sitting on Nandi is taken inside all Shiva temples.
Sri Rudram and other Bhagwan Shiva prayers are chanted in the procession. The Shiv Stotras in the vernacular languages are also recited. Temple musical instruments are played.
Shani Pradosham
If the Pradosham falls on a Saturday, it is termed as Shani Pradosham.
The legend pertaining to Shani Pradosham is connected with Sri Maha Kaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The other name for Ujjain is said to be Avantika.
Shiv-Bhakt Chandrasen
As per the legend, Chandrasen was the King of Ujjain and he was an ardent Shiv-Bhakt. He was bestowed with a rathna which was a celestial gem having miracle powers.
Plot against Chandrasen
The neighborhood Kingdoms were ruled by Ripudaman and Singhaditya. They heard about the miracle gem and wanted to somehow usurp it from Chandrasen. They sought the help of the demon named Dushan. Dushan had a blessing from Sri Bramha that he (Dushan) can be invisible and still be active.
This group of two Kings and the demon had decided to attack Ujjain. King Chandrasen was not aware of all the plotting and he was blissfully praying to Lord Shiva all the time.
Farmer boy Shrikar
When King Chandrasen was chanting Shiv Naam in his palace at Ujjain, a farmer boy called Shrikar was walking on the palace grounds. He heard the chants. But the guards at the palace had expelled him.
So Shrikar came to Kshipra river. He also came to know that the enemies had invaded the Kingdom. He had also learnt that they are targeting all Shiv-Bhakts and torturing them.
Prayers of Vridhi
He was distressed to hear this and shared the news with a priest named Vridhi. Vridhi was in turn agitated and was anguished at the plight of Shiv-Bakhts. He, along with his sons and others, were devoutly praying to Lord Shiva to save them.
Lord Shiva saves His Bhakts
The day of invasion was a Pradosham day on a Saturday. On hearing the pleas of His ardent devotees, Bhagwan Shiva destroyed the enemies and protected His devotes. It is believed that He appeared in the form of light.
Sri Maha Kaleshwar Temple
Shrikar, Vridhi and other devotees requested Bhagwan Shiva to stay in Ujjain as Sri Maha Kaleshwar. Bhagwan Shiva had consented to this.
It is believed that worshipping Sri Maha Kaleshwar during Shani Pradosham day shall remove fears and deceases.
Pradosham Benefits
It is believed that worshipping Bhagwan Shiva on Pradosham day shall dissolve all ill effects of karma. The wishes shall be fulfilled. Chanting of Sri Rudram during the pradosham time is considered highly auspicious and virtuous.
The Pradosham time is ideal to remove negative thoughts from the mind and do meditation calmly.
Observing fasting on Pradosham is said to bring in peace of mind, happiness and wealth. Also believed to remove karmic sins. It cleanses the mind and the body.
It is believed that worshipping Sri Maha Kaleshwar during Shani Pradosham day shall remove fears and deceases.
Shiv Slokams
There are abundant number of Stotrams / Slokas in praise of and in prayer to Bhagwan Shiva. A few of them are listed in the article on Bhagwan Shiv Slokas.
Apart from the above samples, there are innumerable literature on Bhagwan Shiva in all the Indian languages.
In this web-site, the articles on a few of the Sri Shiv Mandirs is provided in the list of Bhagwan Shiv Mandirs.
Om Namas-Shivaya Namaha!!!
