Gayathri Sanghi's video: TRAYODASHI PRADOSH VRAT SATURDAY SHANIVAARA PRADOSH VRAT KATHA SHIVA S FAST

This video has the fast story of Saturday's Pradosh Vrat. Vrat means fast. Katha means story. Pradosh Vrat usually comes one day after Ekadashi. The Pradosh vrat is a popular Hindu vrat that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Pradosha vrat or Pradosham is observed twice in the lunar month as per the Hindu calendar. This fast is observed on the Trayodashi (13th day) of both the Krishna Paksha (Amavasya) and Shukla Paksha (Poornima). The word ‘pradosh’ in Hindi means the dusk of the evening tide or early night. As this sacred vrat is observed during the ‘Sandhyakaal’ that is the evening twilight, it is called as the Pradosh vrat. According to the Hindu mythology it is believed that on the auspicious day of Pradosham, Lord Shiva together with Goddess Parvati feels extremely delighted, pleased and generous. Therefore the followers of Lord Shiva keep a fast and worship their deity on this chosen day to seek divine blessings. The Pradosh vrat can be observed by all irrespective of the age and gender. People in different parts of the country observe this vrat with full devotion and dedication. The Pradosh Vrat is observed in honour of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. In some parts of India, the disciples worship the Nataraj form of Lord Shiva on this day. As per the Skanda Puran there are two different methods of fasting on the Pradosh vrat. in the first method, the devotees observe strict fast for whole day and night, that is, 24 hours and which also includes keeping a vigil at night. In the second method the fasting is observed from the sunrise until sunset, and the fast is broken after worshipping Lord Shiva in the evening. Rituals in the Pradosh Vrat: On the day of Pradosham, the twilight period that is the time just before sunrise and sunset is considered to be auspicious. All the prayers and pujas are observed during this time only. One hour before the sunset, the devotees take a bath and get ready for the puja. A preliminary puja is performed where Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesh, Lord Kartik and Nandi. After which there is a ritual where Lord Shiva is worshipped and invoked in a sacred pot or ‘Kalasha’. This Kalasha is kept on the darbha grass with lotus drawn on it and is filled with water. In some places, the worship of the Shivling is also performed. The Shivling is given a bath with sacred substances like milk, curd and ghee. The puja is performed and the devotees offer Bilva leaves on the Shivling. Some people also use a picture or painting of Lord Shiva for worshipping. It is believed that offering Bilva leaves on the day of Pradosha vrat is highly auspicious. After this ritual, the devotees listen to the Pradosha vrat katha or read stories from the Shiva Purana. The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is chanted 108 times. After the puja is over, the water from the Kalasha is partaken and the devotees apply the sacred ash on their forehead. After the puja, most of the devotees visit the Lord Shiva temples for darshan. It is believed that lighting even a single lamp on the day of Pradosham is very rewarding. By following these simple rituals with utmost sincerity and purity, the devotees can easily please Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and seek their blessings. Significance of Pradosha Vrat: The benefits of the Pradosha vrat are explicitly mentioned in the Skanda Purana. It is said that one who observes this revered fast with devotion and faith is bound to possess contentment, wealth and good health. This vratham is also observed for spiritual upliftment and fulfilment of one’s desires. The Pradosha vrat has been greatly lauded by the Hindu scriptures and is held very sacred for the followers of Lord Shiva. It is a known fact that even a single glance of the deity on this propitious day will end all your sins and bestow you with bountiful blessings and good fortune. The benefits of the Pradosha vrat varies according to the day it falls on. Please subscribe, comment and like.