How to keep the Pradosh vrat: pradosh kaal, Shiv puja and food rules
Quick answer: The Pradosh vrat is kept for Lord Shiv twice a month, on the Trayodashi (thirteenth) tithi of the bright and dark fortnights. Its main puja is done in pradosh kaal, a window of roughly an hour and a half around sunset. Devotees fast or eat fruit during the day, bathe again in the evening, bathe the Shivling, offer bel leaves, read the Pradosh katha and do aarti, and then end the fast with a simple meal.
At a glance
- Tithi
- Trayodashi of each fortnight (about 24 a year)
- Puja time
- Pradosh kaal: around sunset
- Names (by weekday)
- Som Pradosh (Monday), Bhaum Pradosh (Tuesday), Shani Pradosh (Saturday) and so on
- Mantra
- Om Namah Shivaya
How to keep the Pradosh vrat
- On the morning of Trayodashi, bathe, take the sankalp and offer water to Shiv ji.
- Fast or eat fruit through the day.
- Before sunset, bathe again and wear clean clothes.
- In pradosh kaal, bathe the Shivling with water, milk, curd, honey and then water; offer bel leaves, dhatura, white flowers, sandalwood and a lamp. Worship Nandi and Mata Parvati too.
- Chant 'Om Namah Shivaya', read the Pradosh katha for that weekday and do Shiv ji's aarti.
- After the puja, take prasad and eat a simple sattvic meal.
Do
- Check the Trayodashi date and sunset time for your city in the panchang.
- Visit a Shiv temple during pradosh kaal if you can.
- Light a lamp at home in the evening too.
Don't
- No meat, eggs, alcohol, onion, garlic or intoxicants.
- Don't offer tulsi, the ketaki flower or turmeric on the Shivling (common tradition).
- Avoid anger, gossip and quarrels.
- If your health is not good, don't keep a strict fast; a fruit fast is also accepted.
Pradosh vrat rules differ by family and region; follow your tradition and local panchang. KathaMantra does not promise any specific result.
Frequently asked questions
When is pradosh kaal?
The time around sunset, usually from about 45 minutes before to 45 minutes after sunset. Check the exact time in the panchang.
What are Som Pradosh and Shani Pradosh?
When Trayodashi falls on a Monday it is called Som Pradosh, and on a Saturday Shani Pradosh. These are considered special.
What can be eaten on the Pradosh vrat?
Fruit, milk or sabudana during the day; a simple sattvic meal after the evening puja.
When is the Pradosh fast broken?
Most devotees end the fast the same evening after the pradosh puja. Some families end it the next morning.