Pradosha vrata

Pradosha vrata is a Hindu "vrata" for the worship of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The "Pradosha" worship is done in the evening twilight or "sandhya kala" on the "Trayodashi" of both lunar fortnights ("Shukla" and "Krishna Paksha"). These are the 13th "tithi", or lunar days, from the New Moon ("Amavasya") and Full Moon ("Poornima").pp. 86–87, "Fasts and Festivals of India", Manish Verma, Diamond Pocket Books, 2002. ISBN 817182076X.] pp. 60–61, "Hindu Fasts & Festivals", Sri Swami Sivananda, Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, 8th ed., 1997. ISBN 81-7052-039-8.] PerformanceGenerally people observe Pradosha Vrata on every Trayodashi tithi (i.e. 13th Lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) during Sandhya Kaala (ie. During or after sunset). The following Items are placed On A Chowki after spreading red cloth On It. These items Are Donated to Pandit Next Morning after pooja1 Spl Kalash To Be Donated to pandit

2 Cloth/yagyopavit to be donated to Pandit

3 Image Of god to be Donated

Other Items requiredPlace the following items on the Shivalingam,and each time an item is placed on the Shivalingam,the mantra below should be recited: NOTE: YOU MUST USE THE SAME ITEM TO START WITH EACH TIME (EACH PRAHARA) • Milk (milk is used for wealth) • Coconut water (used to think of each other- consciousness) • Cane juice (used for attention) • Honey (used for sweet speech) • Yogurt (to experience bliss in love life) • Haldee(dye)(used for peace-of-mind) • Sarsoon (Mustard seed)(used to get rid of enemies) • Lawang(Clove)(nine, with the head for protection in marriage) • Bael Leaf(for family togetherness,erases the sins of marriage). • Attar(for proper direction) • YagYo Kachha Soot (used for protection) • Chandan / Sandalwood Powder (for knowledge)(white is best) • Sindoor (for prosperity)

The Lord of 13th Trayodashi Tithi is Kaama Deva whereas the Lord of the succeeding Tithi i.e. 14th Chaturdashi is Lord Rudra (Shiva) himself. The 14th day of the dark half of every month – is called Sivaratri or Masa – sivaratri. The one in the month of Magh (Feb-Mar) is called Mahasivaratri, since it is the greatest of all.

The performance of the "vrata" involves a fast followed by a vigil. A bath is taken one hour before sunset and Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Skanda, and Nandi are worshipped. Following this, Lord Shiva is invoked. The Pradosh story is read out after the formal worship is concluded.Bathing an hour before sunset the worshipper

first performs a preliminary worship of Lord Shiva together with all the others of the divine family, namely, Pravati, Ganesha, Skanda and Nandi.

After the Ganesha worship, Lord Shiva is invoked in the special Kalasha (Kalash Puja)

placed on a square Mandala with drawn lotus spread with Darbha grass. After formal worship has been completed, the SIVARATRI story is read. (OR SHIVA PURANA IS READ)Alternatively A "Parad Shiva Linga" can be used

This is followed by the recitation of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times.

AUM TRYAMBAKAM, YAJAAMAHE, SUGANDHIM PUSTIVARDHANAM, URVAARUKAMIVA, BANDHANAAN, MRITYOR, MUKSHEEYA, MAAMRITAAT.

In the end the sacred kalasha water is taken, the sacred ash is applied to the forehead and the sacred water, which is used to bathe the Lord, is drunk as prashad. The Above said Items offerd To lord (Kalash Or Linga) are sent to temple or offered to flowing water to conclude the worship.the next morning

A gift of a pot, a cloth and an image of god have to be given to a Brahmin or in charity to conclude the worship. Even a single BILVA leaf (leaf taken from the wood-apple tree) offered to the Lord at this unique auspicious moment equals a 100’S OF Mahapujas.

HAVE SPECIAL ADDITIONAL LIGHTS IN THE SHRINE DURING THE SIVARATRI.

To light even a single Diva at this time is very meritorious and productive of untold benefits, material as well as spiritual.

This is the most favorable moment for a direct contact with god. When we fast and pray on that day, we can reduce our bodily activities to the minimum and can have the vision of the lord who resides in our heart.

In all this rites, the Brahmin or poor people shall be feed according to one's ability for the completion of the sacred rites.

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