See below for Pradosha Pooja Vidhi in Kannada, Pradosha Pooja Vidhana, How to do Pradosha Pooja in Home, Do’s and Don’t in Pradosha Pooja.
What is Pradosha Puja?
The time in the evening around sunset is called pradosh. The Pradosh time usually extends from 90 minutes before sunset to 60 minutes after sunset.
Pradosh is a highly auspicious and special occasion in Shiva temples. Pradosh Pujas have become very popular in Shiva temples over the past few years. The most important parts of the Pradosh Puja at temples are the Abhishekam to Lord Shiva and Nandi (sacred bull) idols, the procession of Lord Shiva on Nandi around the temple grounds, and the chanting and singing at the temples.
Click here to Kashi Vishwanath Sparsh Darshan Timings
The Tale of Pradosh Vrat:
A long time ago, gods and demons gathered to churn the milk ocean in search of nectar that would give them eternal life. When they used Mantra Hill and the snake Vasuki as a rope to stir up the ocean, the poison Halahala was the first thing that came out. Even the smell of the poison was too much to handle, and it made everyone afraid that everything would be destroyed. Lord Shiva was so kind that he devised a plan to get every drop of poison and drank it himself to save the world. When Mother Parvati touched the Lord’s neck, she put poison on it, and it stayed there forever, giving the Lord a blue neck (Neelkhand). It was the day of Pradosh when the Lord saved the world from the poison, which could have killed everyone. So, people say that Shiva was also in a good mood on this day, which saved the world.
Benefits of Pradosh Vrat:
In Shiva Purana, the benefits of fasting during Pradosh are talked about. People who do pradosh fasting are said to be blessed with money, children, peace, and happiness in their homes. Women who want children follow this vrat with such devotion, and they are blessed with children. It is also believed that those observing this vrat diligently will be freed from their sins.
Pradosha Pooja Vidhi in Kannada
- People who fast during Pradosha take a bath in the early morning and then do their regular Mahadeva puja with Dhoop, Deep, Phal, Phool, and Mantras.
- In the evening, the devotee takes a bath an hour before sunset, dresses in white, and prays to Lord Ganesha and Gauri Shanker with his family before bed.
- After calling on Lord Ganesha with the Ganapati Mantra and all the other gods’ mantras, Shiv Abhishek should be done by pouring Panchamrit (a mixture of cow’s milk, curd, honey/sugar, Ganga Jal, and ghee) over the Shivalingam and then pouring fresh water over it while chanting the mantra OM NAMAH SHIVAYA.
- Then cow’s milk and fresh water are poured over the Shivalingam.
- After making this offer, Bel goes to God (the number of leaves is as per the personal will of the devotee…1 or 11 or 27 or 108 bel leaves).
- Itar, which is rose water, can also be poured over the Shivalingam.
- Then put some Chandan paste over the Shiva lingam and some bhabhooti on your forehead to make a tilak.
- Please use kumkum tilak on Ganesha, Ma Gauri, Skanda, and Nandi, but NOT on the Shivalingam.
- After the Tilak, put a garland of flowers around the Shiva Lingam and Ma Parvati. White flowers are best.
- But don’t use kewra or Champa flowers for the puja. It’s against the rules to use them during puja.
- Take a Kalash and fill it with water. Cover the water with Durva grass, and put a lotus flower on top. Follow this with the Abhishek and Shingaar of Gauri Shanker.
- After that, give the Lord a betel leaf, a betel nut, some rice (akshat), a coin, and some flower petals, and ask Him to come and hear your prayers. Then, as prasad, give the Lord fruits (especially bel fruit and bananas) and naivedyam (Choorma and Kheer).
- After the formal worship of Mahadev, the devotees listen to chapters from the Shiva Purana or the Pradosha vrat Katha. Then they say their own prayers.
- The next step is to say the Maha Mrityunjay Mantra 108 times.
- In the end, you drink the holy Kalash water and put the holy ash on your forehead. Some people also get prasad from the water used during Abhishek.