Two Shukra Pradosh Vrats in January 2026: Dates and Significance

Why Two Shukra Pradosh Vrats In January 2026 Are Considered Auspicious

January 2026 is regarded as especially auspicious for devotees of Lord Shiv and Goddess Lakshmi because two Shukra Pradosh Vrats will be observed in this single month. Shukra Pradosh Vrat is a sacred fast dedicated to Lord Shiv under the influence of Friday and to the graceful energy of Lakshmi associated with Venus. This observance is believed to support marital harmony, prosperity, good health, release from certain doshas and steady spiritual growth.

In the month of Magh, one Shukra Pradosh Vrat will occur in the Krishna Paksha and the second in the Shukla Paksha. When both halves of the lunar month offer this vrat on Friday, seekers receive a rare opportunity to deepen their discipline and devotion through regular practice within a short span of time.

Dates And Pradosh Kaal For The Two Shukra Pradosh Vrats In January 2026

Correct understanding of dates and Pradosh Kaal is essential, because the main worship of Pradosh Vrat is performed in the evening interval known as Pradosh. The two Shukra Pradosh Vrats of January 2026 can be summarised as follows.

Type of Vrat	Date and Paksha	Start of Trayodashi Tithi	End of Trayodashi Tithi	Pradosh Kaal Puja Muhurat
First Shukra Pradosh Vrat	16 January 2026, Magh Krishna Paksha	15 January, 8:16 pm	16 January, 10:21 pm	5:21 pm to 8:00 pm
Second Shukra Pradosh Vrat	30 January 2026, Magh Shukla Paksha	30 January, 11:09 am	31 January, 8:25 am	5:32 pm to 8:08 pm

In both observances, Trayodashi continues through the Pradosh Kaal in the evening, which is why these dates are accepted as appropriate for Shukra Pradosh Vrat according to traditional Panchang calculations.

What Is Shukra Pradosh Vrat And What Results Are Associated With It

Pradosh Vrat is kept on the Trayodashi Tithi of each lunar fortnight, yet when this Trayodashi falls on a Friday it is specifically called Shukra Pradosh Vrat. In Jyotish, Shukra or Venus is connected with marital joy, beauty, wealth and refined enjoyments. When devotion to Lord Shiv in the Pradosh period combines with the gentle influence of Venus, this vrat is considered especially fruitful.

Traditional beliefs describe that Shukra Pradosh Vrat may

• Strengthen love and understanding in married life
• Support financial stability and prosperity
• Enhance harmony in the family and bless seekers with children
• Help reduce karmic burdens and bring inner peace

For those who maintain this vrat with faith, the sequence of two Shukra Pradosh Vrats in Magh 2026 can act as a strong support for both worldly balance and inner refinement.

How Do The Two January 2026 Shukra Pradosh Vrats Arise In Magh

The month of Magh will see one Friday Trayodashi in the Krishna Paksha and another Friday Trayodashi in the Shukla Paksha. This alignment creates the two Shukra Pradosh Vrats of January 2026.

• First Shukra Pradosh Vrat
  The Trayodashi Tithi of Magh Krishna Paksha begins at 8:16 pm on 15 January and ends at 10:21 pm on 16 January. Because 16 January is a Friday and Trayodashi remains during the evening, devotees observe the first Shukra Pradosh Vrat on this date.
• Second Shukra Pradosh Vrat
  The Trayodashi Tithi of Magh Shukla Paksha starts at 11:09 am on 30 January and concludes at 8:25 am on 31 January. Since 30 January is also a Friday and Trayodashi extends into Pradosh Kaal, the second Shukra Pradosh Vrat is observed on that day.

Thus the rhythm of the lunar month and the weekday alignment together produce this spiritually favourable pair of observances.

Importance Of Shukra Pradosh Vrat For Marriage And Prosperity

Shukra Pradosh Vrat is often recommended for those who seek balance in their relational and material life. It is considered helpful for people who

• Experience tension or distance in marriage or partnerships
• Face delays or obstacles in marriage prospects
• Feel insecure about finances or lack stability in income
• Suffer from inner restlessness and worries

When such individuals observe the vrat with faith, discipline and correct method, it is believed that the combined grace of Shiv and Lakshmi can bring greater gentleness, harmony and stability into their lives.

How To Begin Observing Shukra Pradosh Vrat

A clear resolve and inner purity are considered very important when starting this vrat. On the day of Shukra Pradosh, devotees prepare themselves from morning onward.

• Wake up early and perform a clean, unhurried bath
• Wear simple, fresh and modest clothing
• Take a conscious vow to observe the fast while remembering Lord Shiv
• Maintain calm, kindness and restraint in behaviour throughout the day

The resolve is held with the understanding that the vrat is not only for fulfilling desires but also for self purification and deepening surrender to the Divine.

Food And Fasting Pattern During Shukra Pradosh Vrat

Customs related to food can vary slightly by family and region, yet certain broad patterns are commonly followed during Pradosh Vrat.

• Some devotees remain without food for the entire day and drink only water as needed
• Others prefer a light fruit based fast with milk, fruits, nuts or simple prasad
• A few may choose salt free sattvik food once in the day, especially if health conditions require it

The central point is to maintain sattva and control over the senses. Those who cannot undertake a strict fast for medical reasons may still keep the vrat with inner sincerity while following the guidance of their physician.

Step By Step Puja Vidhi For Shukra Pradosh Vrat

When Pradosh Kaal begins in the evening, the main worship starts. A simple yet complete puja can be performed in the following manner.

• Clean the place of worship and arrange a seat facing either north or east
• Place a murti of Lord Shiv or a Shivling and inwardly remember Mother Parvati and Goddess Lakshmi
• Light a lamp and incense sticks, then sit quietly and steady the mind
• First bathe the Shivling with clean water, then with Ganga water if available
• Perform abhishek with curd, milk, honey and sugar in a gentle and respectful way
• Bathe the Shivling again with pure water and offer a clean cloth or symbolic vastra

Throughout the puja, the mind is encouraged to remain focused on gratitude and devotion rather than on anxiety or external results.

Abhishek And Special Offerings During Pradosh Kaal

The abhishek and offerings of Shukra Pradosh Vrat hold a special devotional value. Devotees commonly

• Offer Ganga water, milk, curd, honey and sugar in a measured manner
• Place bilva leaves, dhatura, ak flowers, white flowers and seasonal fruits before Lord Shiv
• Light ghee lamps and create a sacred atmosphere with the sound of bells or conch

Bhog usually consists of fruits, simple sweets or home prepared sattvik dishes. Care is taken that everything offered to the Shivling is fresh, clean and presented with reverence.

Shukra Pradosh Katha, Mantra Chanting And Aarti

Listening to or reciting Pradosh Vrat Katha and Shiv related stories deepens the spiritual mood of the evening. During the puja

• The mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” is chanted with calm rhythm
• Some devotees recite compositions like Shiv Chalisa, Shiv Tandava Stotram or other hymns as per their tradition
• Towards the end, an aarti of Lord Shiv is performed and the entire vrat is mentally offered at his feet

After the aarti, prasad is distributed among family members and visiting devotees as a token of grace.

Rules To Follow During Shukra Pradosh Vrat

Certain disciplines are traditionally advised during Shukra Pradosh Vrat to protect the sanctity of the observance.

• One should avoid salt, non vegetarian food and alcohol on the vrat day
• Wearing black clothes is discouraged
• Offerings like tulsi leaves, sindoor, turmeric and broken rice should not be placed on the Shivling
• Anger, harsh speech, arguments and falsehood are to be avoided
• Effort should be made to keep away from negative thoughts, jealousy and resentment

These guidelines help the mind remain disciplined and pure, so that the spiritual fruit of the vrat may unfold more deeply.

Inner Benefits Of Observing Shukra Pradosh Vrat With Discipline

Beyond outer rituals, Shukra Pradosh Vrat can support significant inner changes when observed regularly.

• It trains the mind to step back from anger and impulsive reactions
• It softens relationships by encouraging patience, communication and respect
• It refines one’s approach to wealth, reducing greed and insecurity
• It strengthens a seeker’s connection with Lord Shiv, helping them face life’s situations with greater steadiness

For January 2026, the presence of two Shukra Pradosh Vrats offers a meaningful chance to build such qualities through repeated and sincere practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Shukra Pradosh Vrats fall in January 2026
There will be two Shukra Pradosh Vrats in January 2026. The first will occur on 16 January 2026 in the Magh Krishna Paksha and the second on 30 January 2026 in the Magh Shukla Paksha.

What are the Trayodashi timings and Pradosh Kaal for the first Shukra Pradosh Vrat
For the first Shukra Pradosh Vrat, the Trayodashi Tithi of Magh Krishna Paksha starts at 8:16 pm on 15 January and ends at 10:21 pm on 16 January. The Pradosh Kaal Puja Muhurat on 16 January will be from 5:21 pm to 8:00 pm.

What are the timings for the second Shukra Pradosh Vrat in January 2026
The second Shukra Pradosh Vrat will be observed on 30 January 2026. The Trayodashi Tithi of Magh Shukla Paksha begins at 11:09 am on 30 January and concludes at 8:25 am on 31 January, with the Pradosh Kaal Puja Muhurat on 30 January running from 5:32 pm to 8:08 pm.

Which items should be avoided on the day of Shukra Pradosh Vrat
On Shukra Pradosh Vrat, salt, non vegetarian food and alcohol should be avoided. Devotees are also advised not to offer tulsi leaves, sindoor, turmeric or broken rice on the Shivling and to refrain from wearing black clothes.

For whom is Shukra Pradosh Vrat especially beneficial
This vrat is considered especially helpful for those facing difficulties in married life, financial instability, delayed marriage, mental unrest or family disputes. With sincere fasting, proper puja and observance of rules, devotees seek the grace of Lord Shiv and Goddess Lakshmi for harmony in relationships, stability in wealth and peace of mind.