Pradosh Vrat (also spelled Pradosham) is a highly auspicious fast in Hinduism dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is observed on Trayodashi Tithi—the 13th day of both the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) lunar phases. Like Ekadashi is observed twice a month for Vishnu, Pradosh Vrat is observed twice every month for Lord Shiva. The word Pradosh refers to the sacred twilight period, the time just after sunset when devotees worship Shiva. This period is believed to be spiritually charged, making prayers and rituals especially powerful. In all Shiva temples, devotees worship Nandi, the divine bull, and offer prayers to Lord Shiva seated with Goddess Parvati.
🌟 Spiritual
Significance of Pradosh Vrat
The greatness of Pradosh Vrat is described in the Shiva
Purana (Pradosha Mahatmya).
Worshipping Lord Shiva during Pradosh destroys:
Devotees who observe Pradosh Vrat with sincerity receive:
Depending on the day it falls, Pradosh Vrat carries
additional benefits.
🌙 Benefits
of Pradosh Vrat
🕉️ Deities
Worshipped
🌺 Types
of Pradosh Vrat (Based on Weekday)
Each Pradosh falling on a specific weekday delivers
unique blessings:
1. Som Pradosh (Monday)
2. Bhaum Pradosh (Tuesday)
3. Saumya Vaara Pradosh (Wednesday)
4. Guruvara Pradosh (Thursday)
5. Bhrigu Vaara Pradosh (Friday)
6. Shani Pradosham (Saturday)
7. Bhaanu Pradosh (Sunday)
🔱 Pradosh
Vrat Rituals
Pradosh Puja is performed after sunset, during the
auspicious Pradosh Kaal.
Step-by-Step Rituals
1. Take
a holy bath before sunset and wear clean clothes
2. Prepare
all Puja Samagri in advance
3. Place
a Kalash filled with water and flowers
4. Offer:
o Milk,
curd, honey, ghee, and sugar
o Bilva
leaves
o Dhatura
o Incense
sticks
5. Chant:
o Maha
Mrityunjaya Mantra (108 times)
o Shiva
Chalisa
o Pradosh
Vrat Katha
6. Perform
Aarti of Lord Shiva
7. Offer
naivedya (fruits, milk, or sweets)
8. Meditate
and sit in silence for a few minutes
Worship of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle, is also an
important part of Pradosh rituals.
📜 Pradosh
Vrat Katha (Story)
A poor Brahmin widow lived with her young son. One day,
she found a wounded boy, the prince of Vidarbha, who had escaped after enemies
destroyed his kingdom.
The compassionate Brahmin woman brought him home and
cared for him like her own child.
As years passed, the prince grew close to a girl named
Anshumati. Her parents received a divine dream from Lord Shiva instructing them
to marry their daughter to the prince.
The Brahmin regularly observed Pradosh Vrat, and due to
the spiritual merit of this fast, Lord Shiva blessed the prince. With the help
of Gandharvas, the prince defeated his enemies, regained his kingdom, and lived
in peace.
Out of gratitude, he appointed the Brahmin’s son as his
chief minister.
Scriptures say that just as the prince’s fate transformed through Pradosh Vrat,
devotees who observe this vrat also witness positive changes in life.
🔥 Pradosh
Aarti
🔱 Mantra
for Pradosh Vrat
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
oṃ tryambakaṃ
yajāmahe sughandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam
urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya
mā’mṛtāt
Shiva Panchakshari Mantra
“Om Namah Shivaya”
🌅 How
to Observe and Break Pradosh Fast
During the Fast
Breaking the Fast (Parana)
🍽️ Allowed
Foods During Pradosh Vrat
📅 Pradosh
Vrat Date & Timing 2026
| Date & Day | Vrat Name | Vrat Timing | Pradosh Kaal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 January 2026 (Thursday) | Guru Pradosh Vrat | 01 January 01:47 AM to 10:22 PM | 05:35 PM to 08:19 PM |
| 16 January 2026 (Friday) | Shukra Pradosh Vrat | 15 January 08:16 PM to 16 January 10:21 PM | 05:47 PM to 08:29 PM |
| 30 January 2026 (Friday) | Shukra Pradosh Vrat | 30 January 11:09 AM to 31 January 08:25 AM | 05:59 PM to 08:37 PM |
| 14 February 2026 (Saturday) | Shani Pradosh Vrat | 14 February 04:01 PM to 15 February 05:04 PM | 06:10 PM to 08:44 PM |
| 01 March 2026 (Sunday) | Ravi Pradosh Vrat | 28 February 08:43 PM to 01 March 07:09 PM | 06:21 PM to 07:09 PM |
| 16 March 2026 (Monday) | Som Pradosh Vrat | 16 March 09:40 AM to 17 March 09:23 AM | 06:30 PM to 08:54 PM |
| 30 March 2026 (Monday) | Som Pradosh Vrat | 30 March 07:09 AM to 31 March 06:55 AM | 06:38 PM to 08:57 PM |
| 15 April 2026 (Wednesday) | Budh Pradosh Vrat | 15 April 12:12 AM to 10:31 PM | 06:47 PM to 09:00 PM |
| 28 April 2026 (Tuesday) | Bhaum Pradosh Vrat | 28 April 06:51 PM to 29 April 07:51 PM | 06:54 PM to 09:04 PM |
| 14 May 2026 (Thursday) | Guru Pradosh Vrat | 14 May 11:20 AM to 15 May 08:31 AM | 07:04 PM to 09:09 PM |
| 28 May 2026 (Thursday) | Guru Pradosh Vrat | 28 May 07:56 AM to 29 May 09:50 AM | 07:12 PM to 09:15 PM |
| 12 June 2026 (Friday) | Shukra Pradosh Vrat | 12 June 07:36 PM to 13 June 04:07 PM | 07:36 PM to 09:20 PM |
| 27 June 2026 (Saturday) | Shani Pradosh Vrat | 26 June 10:22 PM to 28 June 12:43 AM | 07:23 PM to 09:23 PM |
| 12 July 2026 (Sunday) | Ravi Pradosh Vrat | 12 July 02:04 AM to 10:29 PM | 07:22 PM to 09:24 PM |
| 26 July 2026 (Sunday) | Ravi Pradosh Vrat | 26 July 01:57 PM to 27 July 04:14 PM | 07:16 PM to 09:21 PM |
| 10 August 2026 (Monday) | Som Pradosh Vrat | 10 August 08:00 AM to 11 August 04:54 AM | 07:05 PM to 09:14 PM |
| 25 August 2026 (Tuesday) | Bhaum Pradosh Vrat | 25 August 06:20 AM to 26 August 07:59 AM | 06:51 PM to 09:04 PM |
| 08 September 2026 (Tuesday) | Bhaum Pradosh Vrat | 08 September 02:42 PM to 09 September 12:30 PM | 06:35 PM to 08:52 PM |
| 24 September 2026 (Thursday) | Guru Pradosh Vrat | 23 September 10:50 PM to 24 September 11:18 PM | 06:16 PM to 08:39 PM |
| 08 October 2026 (Thursday) | Guru Pradosh Vrat | 07 October 11:16 PM to 08 October 10:15 PM | 05:59 PM to 08:27 PM |
| 23 October 2026 (Friday) | Shukra Pradosh Vrat | 23 October 02:35 PM to 24 October 01:36 PM | 05:44 PM to 08:16 PM |
| 06 November 2026 (Friday) | Shukra Pradosh Vrat | 06 November 10:30 AM to 07 November 10:47 AM | 05:33 PM to 08:09 PM |
| 22 November 2026 (Sunday) | Ravi Pradosh Vrat | 22 November 04:56 AM to 23 November 02:36 AM | 05:25 PM to 08:06 PM |
| 06 December 2026 (Sunday) | Ravi Pradosh Vrat | 06 December 12:51 AM to 07 December 02:22 AM | 05:24 PM to 08:07 PM |
| 21 December 2026 (Monday) | Som Pradosh Vrat | 21 December 05:36 PM to 22 December 02:23 PM | 05:36 PM to 08:13 PM |
✔ Do’s