Pradosh Vrat Benefits: About Pradosh Vrat,Katha, Fasting Rules And Customs.

Pradosh Vrat: A Powerful Devotion to Lord Shiva

We know that India is a Land of Diverse Festivities where each Festival has its importance and its own religious story. All these Traditional Festivities have meaning and relevance. All the festivals that are celebrated in our Indian holy land, are celebrated with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. All these traditional rituals and celebrations reflect the true colors of our nation and also are cherished by all of us.

What Is Pradosh Vrat?

One such Hindu festival is pradosh vratwhich is considered to be one of the most powerful Vrat in Hindus. Going back to the story of pradosh Vrat, Hindu mythologies talk about lord shiva and MaaParvati who during this festival of pradosh Vrat grant the devotees with blessings and accomplish all their wishes. During this Hindu festival, devotees worship LordShiva and Parvati Maa and celebrate this festival with devotion and this austerious fasting. They fall in deep devotion to Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati to receive their blessings.
Pradosh Vrat is often observed as per the lunar cycle on the 13th tithi. It begins from the New moon also known as Amavasya and continues till the full moon also known as Purnima. Pradosh rituals can also begin at the Twilight also known as the Sandhya Kala and continue till the lunar fortnights also known as Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha according to the Hindu calendar. This is a powerful vrat yet it is a difficult Vrat too because the celebration begins with taking a bath an hour before the sunrise. After taking this bath they go for a Vrat and continue other rituals.
Also, a Shiv Parvati Katha is chanted on this day to please the deity. Devotees chant mantras for Lord Shiva i.e. the Shaivaya Mantra and worship the whole family of Lord Shiva. The devotees also of sweets and fruits to Lord Shiva along with reading out the story of pradosh Vrat. On this auspicious festival, devotees express immense gratitude for Lord Shiva and Parvati Maa for granting them happiness and good luck. This Vrat, if observed with pure devotion towards Lord Shiva, then Lord Shiva grants the devotee with a lot of happiness, contentment, and wealth.

Significance/Benefits of Pradosh Vrat

There are so many benefits that you have learned about pradosh Vrat, but do you know why do we follow all these customs? What is the significance of pradosh Vrat and what is the story behind this Vrat? Here is an insight that will help you to understand what is the reason behind celebrating this festival with great zeal and enthusiasm.
The reason why we chant mantras during this ritual is that, according to ancient beliefs, these mantras make the way for you to attain Moksha. Mythology also talks about the day when Lord Shiva and Parvati Maa have their best mood. The story of pradosh begins with the gods who churned the ocean to attain immortality. Toattain this immortality, the first try was the snake Vasuki which was backfired by the mantra Hill. The gods used a snake as a rope. This snake is considered to have one of the most dangerous poisons ever known. This poison was so dangerous that it could even destroy the whole universe. Everyone was so fearful of this deadly poison because this poison was one that could cause a lot of destruction.
One fine day Lord Shiva drank this poison so that he could save the universe from this extreme destruction. This day came to be celebrated as pradosh.
Do you know why Lord Shiva is known by the name of Neelkanth? It is because this poison had turned his skin blue and especially his neck area. After this, he did a tandav on the Nandi bull. This day is considered to be auspicious because he saved the whole world from destruction.

Pradosh Fasting Rules

Pradosh Vrat is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals that bring in a lot of success and well being to the devotees.There are various types of pradosh Vrat like Kata Masa Prodash vrat. All of these have some different rules butOne of the most important rules of this Vrat is to visit the temple of Lord Shiva. The Shiv Puja is carried out the whole night and trust me this experience is a soulful one. The Puja begins with the worship of Lord Shiva and also so his family and especially Parvati Maa. Devotees chant mantras and all of these devotees apply ash which is sacred with Kalash water on their forehead. The pradosh vrat begins with sunrise and it is continued throughout the day and night too. Devotees can only break the fast on the next morning and consume freshly prepared food. The devotees have to stay awake and celebrate Lord Shiva’s important day the whole night. is important to follow all the rituals throughout the night and continue fasting from sunrise to sunset. Along with fasting it is really important to donate something like utensils to the poor.

Foods You can Eat During Pradosham

Usually Hindu devotees do not consume food during the vrat of pradosh yet you can still consume the foods mentioned below. It is very important to restrict your diet and consume light food on this day.

VratTikki

This Tikki can be made from the following ingredients very Easily. It is a very simple and a delicious recipe that you can cook and consume during your pradosh Vrat as a snack.

• Samak Rice
• Oil
• Potatoes
• Vrat salt
• Green chillies and red chilli powder

KuttuPuri

You Can prepare this delicious this as well using buckwheat flour. It is one of the most loved dish during Vrat by Indians.

Sweet Potato Chips

Another snack for your pradosh Vrat can be sweet potato chips that can be easily cooked along with a seasoning of sugar and cardamom powder.

Fruit Salad

Pradosham Vrat is a difficult Vrat and fruits are the best companion that will provide you nutrients and energy to stay awake and strong the whole day and night. Fruits will also keep you hydrated throughout the day and are light too.

Also Read

Sankashti Chaturthi Puja Vidhi And Fasting Customs

Ekadashi 2023 Dates : Ekadashi Vrat

Puja Vidhi of Pradosham Vrat

• One of the most important step is to wake up early in the morning during the Brahma muhurat. This is usually about two hours before sunrise.
• While observing the vrat it is important to maintain celibacy and devote yourself in God.
•  Always wear clean clothes and clean yourself properly by taking a good bath.
• During the vrat always try to find out some time for yourself to introspect. While introspecting you will be able to relax yourself and understand yourself at the same time along with this you will also be able to keep your mind and inner self calm and composed.
• Do meditate for some time
• Take a pledge better known as the Sankalp that you will observe the breath very sincerely and with a pure heart.
• Worship Lord Shiva very sincerely on Shani Trayodashi.
• Offer water or offerings to the Sun god known as Surya Dev during the time of sunrise also known as suryoday.
• It is strictly prohibited to consume anything like tobacco or alcohol.
• The person who is doing the pradosh vrat is totally restricted to consume any of these food items like garlic , wheat , onion , rice , lentils or any non vegetarian food item.
• Devotees who do the vrat are allowed to consume milk and other foods as mentioned above.
• It would be much better if you could continue chanting Om namah Shivay throughout the day with devotion as much as possible.
• Before you perform the Puja during the evening it is important to take a bath and wear clean clothes again.
• Now the Pradosh Vrat Katday is to be read
• You come to an end of the Puja by performing and Aarti thanking Lord Shiva for all that you have.