Pradoshamప్రదోషం

The thirteenth tithi — Shiva worship in the twilight hour before sunset.

Deity: Shiva
Frequency: Twice a lunar month

What Pradosham is

Pradosham is the trayodashi tithi, and unlike most observances it is tied to a particular hour rather than to the whole day. The pradosha kala is the roughly hour-and-a-half around sunset, and the tradition holds that Shiva dances in the silver hall at that time, with all the gods in attendance. It is associated with the churning of the ocean: the poison halahala that emerged threatened to destroy creation, and Shiva drank it, holding it in his throat. Pradosham commemorates that moment.

Who observes it

Kept widely across the south, and especially in Tamil Nadu and the Telugu states. Shani Pradosham (falling on a Saturday) and Soma Pradosham (on a Monday) draw the largest temple crowds.

Fasting rules

A fast is kept through the day and broken after the pradosha kala worship. Many keep a partial fast of fruit and milk rather than a complete one. The point of the observance is the evening worship, not the severity of the fast.

Pooja vidhanam

The worship is done in the pradosha kala. Abhishekam of the Shiva linga with water, milk, honey, curd and ghee; offerings of bilva leaves; and recitation of the Shiva Panchakshari, the Rudram or the Shiva Tandava Stotram. Circumambulation in temples on Pradosham follows the distinctive somasutra pattern rather than a full circle.

A note on timing

Pradosha kala is reckoned from roughly an hour and a half before sunset to about the same after. Since it is anchored to sunset, it moves with your city — the sunset time on each date's panchangam page is the anchor to use.

All vratams