All about Pradosham

More than 5 years, I'm receiving great blessing by attending Pradosham prayer and sharing what is Pradosham and the benefits. Pradosham literally means the removal of sins ( Pra - Removal , Dosham - Sin) is one of the most important  prayer  performed to Lord Shiva. It comes every Thiriyodasi tithi' (thirteenth lunar (moon) day of the waxing as well as waning moon phases) in all Shiva temples about 48 minutes during sun set, moon day and prayers period would be between 4.30 p.m till 6.30 p.m (‘a period just before sunset and after sunset’.)

Many devotees observe the following during Pradosham time:

• Visit temple in the morning after taking bath early in the morning.
• Fasting.
• Recite and read Thevaram, Thiruvachagam, Shiva mantras.
• Take pooja dhraviyam for abishekam and pooja, especially arugampul garland (bermuda grass) for Nandikeswaran and vilvam garland (bael leaf) for Lord Siva.
• Lighting ghee lamps.
• Distribution of prasadam for devotees.

It is auspicious to have a darshan of Lord Shiva through the Horns of the Divine Bull on Pradosham days. Recite only Shiva mantra in Nandi's ears (many people recite their woes and prayer requests to Nandi. Shastras indicate reciting Shiva mantra in Nandi's right ears is the right practice. According to Puranas, Nandi's left ear is deaf. You can then pray for other requests standing at a respectable distance from the Nandi and not straight into His ears, that are so Holy and which deserve the respect of being adorned by Shiva mantras and not to be sullied by our mundane requests that are endless and many times - undeserved!). In temple, priests will perform abshiegam and pooja to Lord Shiva and Nandhi. Many people during this period spend the time in a Shiva temple or listening to the glory of Shiva. But it is said, that just lighting a lamp and praying also please the Lord as well. 

Pradosham Time in Malaysia & Singapore

The actual Pradosham time in Malaysia and Singapore is from 5.30 pm to 7 pm but unfortunately most of the temple mistakenly observing from 4.30 pm to 6 pm just by following temples in India. In India the Sun set time is at 6 pm but in Malaysia and Singapore is 7 pm. Pradosham occur between 1-1/2 hours before and right up until the moment of sunset. Enlighten your local temple people or priest by giving this article and start to observe the ritual for Pradosham at the right time. Remember, what you do is important but when you do it is just important. The efficacy of spiritual practices can be increased greatly by timing it according to Siddha injunctions. 

Puranam

Pradhosham Puraanam:

Once Dhevas and Asuras using the serpent Vasuki and the hill Mandhara were trying to get Amrutham (nector) from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Then the terrible poison Halahalam came up. All got frightened and pleaded to Lord Shiva for rescue. Being the peak of mercy Lord Shiva ate that poison. Then as per His order they resumed their effort to get Amrutham. They got it on Dhwadhasi (twelfth moon day). Without praying and thanking the God, by whom they got Amrutham, Devas started dancing and celebrating their victory. On thrayodhasi (thirteenth moon day) they realised their sin of not praying the God and pleaded for forgiveness. The pleased graceful Lord Shiva forgave them and danced between the horns of the Nandhi (holy bull). That time is called Pradhosham. Whoever prays Lord Shiva in that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and give them mukthi. 


 In a scientific term from http://www.pillaicenter.com/practicelibrary/pradosham/

Pradosham is a specific window of time that occurs during the day. It is believed that the energy during this time makes it easier to dissolve and release karma. Stories, sounds and rituals have been created around this time to help us better work with and understand the significance of these karma busting energies.

Dr. Pillai says that when the world begins to remember Pradosham times and observe its rituals, it is a sign that we are moving out of the Age of Ignorance into the Age of Truth, the time of Higher Intelligence.

There are three different energy levels to Pradosham depending on which day of the month that it occurs. Each energy level indicates how much karma may be released at that time. Dr. Pillai says all three levels of Pradosham are designed to help speed our evolution and make our lives easier and happier.

During the pradhosham time, Somasootra Pradakshinam is the recommended way of circulating the God. In many of the temples this is followed always. A point to note here is that the gomukhi is never crossed. Gomukhi is the place where the water after anointing (abhishega theertham) would be flowing northwards out. By doing this way of Pradakshinam one does not step over this holy water.

Milk Abshiegam for Shiva Lingam

Nandi

First saluting the Rishabha Devar (Holy Bull or Nandi) go anti-clockwise and salute Chandishwarar (not crossing the Gomukhi). Now return in the clockwise manner salute Rishabham and continue clockwise till the Gomukhi (not to cross it again). Then return in anti-clockwise direction salute the Rishabham again and proceed towards chaNdIshar. From there return back clockwise without worshiping Rishabham and reach the Gomukhi. Finally return back anticlockwise from there to salute Rishabham and continue to Chandishwarar and return back to Rishabham and worship the Shiva Lingam (at the altar) by viewing through the space between the two horns of the Holy Bull. This is one Pradakshinam. Three such times Pradakshinam to be done. If you carefully observe the curve traced by doing the pradakshinam is very similar to the periphery of the crescent. Hence this way of circulating is called Somasutra Pradakshinam. 

 

Sani Pradosham

In Hinduism, Saturday is dedicated for Lord Saniswaran, one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial gods. According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison on a Saturday and this is called Sani Pradosham. People who is experiencing 7/12 Sani peyarchi period, it is beneficial to observe prayers on Shani Pradosham and offer prayers to Lord Shiva during the day.

During Prodhosham time, abshiegam done with turmeric, kumkum, honey, rice powder and etc is consider to give fruitful benefits. I have mentioned the benefits of abshiegam things in my previous article :  Abishegam and the Benefits

Lord Saniswaran

Five Type of Pradoshams:

1. Nithya Pradosham: To be precise Pradosham is the specific time period of 48 minutes (24 minutes before sunset and 24 minutes after sun set) that occurs every day (Nithya Pradosham).
2. Monthly (Masam) Pradosham: Pradosham occurring on 'Thiriyodasi tithi' (thirteenth lunar (moon) day after new moon (Amavasya) day.
3. Paksha Pradosham: - - 0430-0600 PM - Pradosham occurring on 'Thiriyodasi tithi' (thirteenth lunar (moon) day after full moon (Pournami) day.
4. Sani Pradosham (also called as Maha Pradosham: Pradosham occurring on 'Thiriyodasi tithi' (thirteenth lunar (moon) on Saturday is termed as Maha Pradosham or Sani Pradosham. According to Puranas Pradosham event occurred only on Saturday.
5. Pralaya Pradosham (Day of Deluge): It is considered as the day of deluge. All souls in this universe will be uniting with Lord Shiva.

It is believed that each day of the week has different benefits during Pradhosham:

Sunday: Subha mangalam

Monday: Good thinking

Tuesday: Removal of poverty

Wednesday: Blessing of child, Knowledge and education

Thursday: Divine blessings through the Pithrus, all dangers will be eliminated

Friday: Nullifying Opposition

Saturday: Promotion, get back the lost wealth 

It is believed worshiping one Pradhosham equals going to temple for 15 days, worshipping 11 pradosham equals seeing one Kumbhabhishekam. No rebirth for those worshiping 120 pradhosham, therefore, i feel it is worth for a person who believe in Hinduism to observe pradosham pooja to gain fruitful benefits.