Pradosha
Encyclopedia
Pradosha or Pradosham is a bimonthly occasion on the thirteenth day of every fortnight in Hindu calendar
. It is closely connected with the worship of Hindu god Shiva
. The auspicious 3 hour period, 1.5 hours before and after the sunset is one of the optimum time for meditation. The fast or vow performed during the period is called "Pradosha vrata".
and Dosha
. He had two brothers namely Nishita and Vyustha. The three names mean beginning, middle and end of night. The days from new moon day to full moon day is called "Sukla Paksha" and days from every full moon day to new moon day is called "Krishna paksha". During every month and during every paksha, the point of time when triyodashi (13th day of the fortnight) meeets the end of dwadasi (12th day of fortnight) is called Pradosha. During pradosha, Nandi (the sacred bull of Shiva) in all the Shiva temples in South India is worshipped. The festival idol of Shiva with Parvathy in a seated pose on Nandi is taken as a procession in the temple complex.
, Shiva's sacred bull. Shiva aided them in killing the asuras - the practise of worshipping Shiva on tiryodashi along with Nandi emerged and continues in Shiva temples. "Pradosha vrata
" (vow) is performed on pradosham with sacred ritual steps following the tradition.
, a town in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh
. The city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures.
According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasen, who was a pious devotee of Shiva and worshipped him all the time. He was blessed with a celestial gem which could create miracles. Rivals of Ujjain, king Ripudaman and king Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack Ujjain and take over the treasure. The king Chandransena unaware of the impending war was worshipping Shiva. He was joined by a farmer's boy named Shrikhar, who was walking on the grounds of the palace and heard the king chant the Shiva's name. However, the guards removed him by force and sent him to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. Shrikhar continued to pray and the news spread to a priest named Vridhi. He was shocked to hear this and upon the urgent pleas of his sons, he started to pray Shiva inside the river Kshipra. The enemy kings chose to attack and it happened to be a Saturday and Triyodashi. With the help of the powerful demon Dushan, who was blessed by Brahma
to be invisible, they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Shiva.
Upon hearing the pleas of his helpless devotees, Shiva appeared in his Mahakal (form of light) and destroyed the enemies of king Chandrasen. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the kingdom. From that day on, Shiva resided in his light form as Mahakal in a Lingam
that was formed on its own from the powers of the Shiva and his consort, Parvati
. It is believed that people worshipping Shiva on a Shani Pradosha would be free from the fear of death and diseases. They would also be granted worldly treasures.
Hindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
. It is closely connected with the worship of Hindu god Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. The auspicious 3 hour period, 1.5 hours before and after the sunset is one of the optimum time for meditation. The fast or vow performed during the period is called "Pradosha vrata".
Pradosha
Pradosha is indicative of day names in the calendar. Etymology of Pradosha - Pradosha is the son of KalpaKalpa
Kalpa is a small town in the Sutlej river valley, above Recong Peo in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Northern India, in the Indian Himalaya. Inhabited by Kinnauri people and famous for its apple orchards. Apples are a major cash-crop for the region...
and Dosha
Dosha
A dosha is one of three bodily humors that make up one's constitution according to Ayurveda. These teachings are also known as the Tridosha system....
. He had two brothers namely Nishita and Vyustha. The three names mean beginning, middle and end of night. The days from new moon day to full moon day is called "Sukla Paksha" and days from every full moon day to new moon day is called "Krishna paksha". During every month and during every paksha, the point of time when triyodashi (13th day of the fortnight) meeets the end of dwadasi (12th day of fortnight) is called Pradosha. During pradosha, Nandi (the sacred bull of Shiva) in all the Shiva temples in South India is worshipped. The festival idol of Shiva with Parvathy in a seated pose on Nandi is taken as a procession in the temple complex.
Legend
The devas, celestial deities approached Shiva in the most propitious moments of pradosha to get relief from asuras - Danavas and Daityas. They ran around Kailasha, Siva's abode hitherto on a triyodashi evening and was aided by NandiNandi
Nandi may refer to:* Nandi , the white bull on which Lord Siva rides* Nandi Awards, Film awards given to Tollywood personalities and films* Nandi people, an ethnic group from Africa** Nandi languages...
, Shiva's sacred bull. Shiva aided them in killing the asuras - the practise of worshipping Shiva on tiryodashi along with Nandi emerged and continues in Shiva temples. "Pradosha vrata
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...
" (vow) is performed on pradosham with sacred ritual steps following the tradition.
Shani Pradosha
Shani Pradosha, the pradosha falling on a Saturday corresponding to planet saturn is considered important among other pradosham. The importance of Shani Pradosha is closely associated with Mahakaleshwar temple in UjjainUjjain
Ujjain , is an ancient city of Malwa region in central India, on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River , today part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative centre of Ujjain District and Ujjain Division.In ancient times the city was called Ujjayini...
, a town in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
. The city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures.
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
to be invisible, they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Shiva.
Upon hearing the pleas of his helpless devotees, Shiva appeared in his Mahakal (form of light) and destroyed the enemies of king Chandrasen. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the kingdom. From that day on, Shiva resided in his light form as Mahakal in a Lingam
Lingam
The Lingam is a representation of the Hindu deity Shiva used for worship in temples....
that was formed on its own from the powers of the Shiva and his consort, Parvati
Parvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
. It is believed that people worshipping Shiva on a Shani Pradosha would be free from the fear of death and diseases. They would also be granted worldly treasures.