Pradosh Vrat प्रदोष व्रत
Pradosh Vrat is the Trayodashi fast of Shiva, kept twice a lunar month and worshipped at pradosh kaal - the sacred twilight around sunset. The weekday it falls on gives it its name and its special blessing.
What is Pradosh Vrat?
Pradosh (or Pradosham) is the thirteenth tithi, Trayodashi, which comes once in each fortnight - so the vrat is kept twice a lunar month. It is sacred to Shiva and Parvati, and its defining feature is the time of worship: pradosh kaal, the twilight straddling sunset, held to be the moment Shiva dances in bliss upon Kailasa.
How it is observed
Observers fast through the day - many take only fruit or a single meal - and bathe again before sunset. At pradosh kaal they perform Shiva puja: bathing the linga, offering water and bilva (bel) leaves, lighting a lamp and reciting the Pradosh Stotra or the names of Shiva. The fast is customarily broken after the evening worship. Because the worship window follows your local sunset, the timing shifts with place and season.
The weekday Pradosh vrats
A Pradosh is named for the weekday it falls on, and each is sought for a particular blessing:
| Pradosh | Weekday | Kept for |
|---|---|---|
| Ravi Pradosh | Sunday | health, longevity and wellbeing |
| Soma Pradosh | Monday | the fulfilment of wishes and peace of mind |
| Bhauma (Mangal) Pradosh | Tuesday | relief from debt, disease and Mangal-related troubles |
| Budh Pradosh | Wednesday | success in learning, work and new endeavours |
| Guru Pradosh | Thursday | the removal of obstacles and the blessings of elders |
| Shukra Pradosh | Friday | marital harmony, prosperity and good fortune |
| Shani Pradosh | Saturday | the blessing of progeny and relief from Shani's afflictions |
Shani Pradosh (Saturday) and Soma Pradosh (Monday) are the most widely observed.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pradosh Vrat?
Pradosh Vrat is a fast kept on Trayodashi, the thirteenth tithi, in both the bright and dark fortnights - so twice a lunar month. It is dedicated to Shiva and Parvati and is observed at pradosh kaal, the twilight around sunset.
When is pradosh kaal?
Pradosh kaal is the roughly ninety-minute twilight window straddling sunset - about 45 minutes before to 45 minutes after. Shiva is worshipped during this window, so the exact time depends on your location's sunset.
How is Pradosh Vrat observed?
Devotees fast through the day (many take only fruit or a single meal), bathe before sunset, and perform Shiva puja at pradosh kaal - offering water, bilva leaves and lighting a lamp - often reciting the Pradosh Stotra. The fast is usually broken after the evening worship.
What are the weekday Pradosh vrats?
A Pradosh takes its name from the weekday it falls on, each with a traditional benefit: Soma (Monday) for wishes, Bhauma or Mangal (Tuesday) for freedom from debt and disease, Shani (Saturday) for progeny, and so on through the week.
When is the next Pradosh Vrat in Mumbai, MH?
The next Pradosh Vrat in Mumbai, MH is Soma Pradosh, on 27 July 2026. Worship is done at pradosh kaal (around sunset) - see that day's panchang for the exact time.
Last updated 26 July 2026