Why Are Magha's Pradosh Fasts Special?

The Pradosh Fasts of Magha Month at a Glance

The Pradosh fast, which falls on the Trayodashi tithi of both fortnights of Magha month, the dark fortnight and the bright fortnight, is regarded as an unfailing means of receiving the grace of Lord Shiva. The name of the Pradosh fast changes according to the weekday on which Trayodashi falls. If the Pradosh of Magha falls on a Tuesday, it is called Bhaum Pradosh, which is regarded as highly fruitful for freedom from old debts and for pacifying Mangal Dosha. If it falls on a Saturday, it is called Shani Pradosh, which is regarded as special for the joy of children and protection from the troubles of Saturn.

Element of Pradosh	Details
Tithi	Magha Krishna Trayodashi and Magha Shukla Trayodashi
Time of Worship	Pradosh Kaal, that is the time around sunset
Principal Deities	Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati
Materials for Abhishek	Water, raw milk, honey, black sesame and Gangajal
Principal Offerings	Bilva leaves, datura, arka flowers, sacred ash and sandalwood
Main Mantras	Om Namah Shivaya and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Fruit of Bhaum Pradosh	Freedom from debt and pacification of Mangal Dosha
Fruit of Shani Pradosh	The joy of children and protection from Saturn's troubles

The Basic Rules of the Pradosh Fast

• On Trayodashi, bathe in the morning and take the resolve of the fast.
• Fast or eat fruit through the day and remember Shiva in your mind.
• During Pradosh Kaal, bathe again and worship Shiva.
• Bathe the Shiva Linga with water, raw milk, honey and black sesame.
• Listen to the Pradosh Vrat Katha and break the fast after the aarti.

What Is the Pradosh Fast?

Every month has 2 Trayodashi tithis, one in the dark fortnight and one in the bright fortnight. The Pradosh fast is kept on both these Trayodashis. The word Pradosh means the time when day and night meet, that is dusk. It is believed that at this time Lord Shiva dances joyfully on Mount Kailash and all the gods sing his praises. So Shiva worship performed during Pradosh Kaal is regarded as highly fruitful.

According to a Puranic story, the Moon was struck with a wasting disease because of a curse and began to fade away slowly. Then he worshipped Lord Shiva and at Pradosh Kaal on Trayodashi, Shiva placed him on his forehead and gave him new life. This is why the Pradosh fast is also regarded as a fast for freedom from illness and protection of life.

Names and Fruits of Pradosh by Weekday

Weekday	Name of the Pradosh	Traditional Fruit
Sunday	Ravi Pradosh	Health and long life
Monday	Som Pradosh	Fulfilment of wishes and peace of mind
Tuesday	Bhaum Pradosh	Freedom from debt and protection from illness
Wednesday	Budh Pradosh	Intellect and success in work
Thursday	Guru Pradosh	Victory over enemies and the grace of the guru
Friday	Shukra Pradosh	Good fortune and marital happiness
Saturday	Shani Pradosh	The joy of children and protection from Saturn's troubles

It is important to remember that the Pradosh of Magha month falls on a different weekday every year. Bhaum Pradosh or Shani Pradosh occurs only when the Trayodashi tithi falls on a Tuesday or a Saturday. So check the local Panchang of that year to know the weekday and time of the Pradosh.

The Right Time of Pradosh Kaal

Pradosh Kaal is regarded as a period of about an hour and a half around sunset. Tradition counts it from a little before sunset to a little after sunset. The time of sunset differs from place to place and from day to day, so the exact muhurat of Pradosh Kaal should always be checked in the local Panchang of your city.

Part of the Time	Significance
Before sunset	Preparation for worship and the second bath
Sunset	The heart of Pradosh Kaal and the best time for abhishek
After sunset	Worship, katha and aarti

Bhaum Pradosh: The Fast for Freedom from Debt

When the Pradosh fast falls on a Tuesday, it is called Bhaum Pradosh. Bhaum is another name for Mars. In astrology Mars is regarded as the significator of debt, land, courage, blood and enemies. Tradition holds that worshipping Shiva and Hanuman on Bhaum Pradosh opens the way to freedom from even the oldest debts and pacifies Mangal Dosha.

• Shiva abhishek: Offer water, honey and red sandalwood to the Shiva Linga during Pradosh Kaal.
• Rinamochana Mangal Stotra: This hymn is regarded as famous for freedom from debt.
• Hanuman worship: Reciting the Hanuman Chalisa on Tuesday is regarded as increasing the auspicious results of Mars.
• Charity: Donating red lentils, jaggery and red cloth.

Along with spiritual remedies, a practical plan is also necessary for freedom from debt. Keeping account of income and expenditure, avoiding new loans and repaying instalments regularly are also essential paths to freedom from debt.

Shani Pradosh: The Joy of Children and Peace from Saturn

When the Pradosh fast falls on a Saturday, it is called Shani Pradosh. Shani Dev is regarded as a great devotee of Lord Shiva. So worshipping Shiva on Shani Pradosh is regarded as protecting from Saturn's Sade Sati, Dhaiya and troubles linked with Saturn. Tradition also regards Shani Pradosh as highly auspicious for couples who wish for children.

• Shiva abhishek: Bathe the Shiva Linga with water mixed with black sesame and raw milk.
• Shani Stotra: Reciting the Shani Stotra composed by King Dasharatha is regarded as auspicious.
• Lamp: Light a sesame oil lamp beneath a Peepal tree in the evening.
• Charity: Donating black sesame, blankets, oil and footwear.

In problems related to children, the advice of a qualified doctor must be sought along with spiritual remedies. Faith and medicine together give the best results.

The Complete Method of the Pradosh Fast and Rudrabhishek

Step	Method
Morning Resolve	Bathe and take the resolve of the fast before the Shiva Linga
Through the Day	Fasting or eating fruit and remembering the name of Shiva
Evening Bath	A second bath and clean clothes before Pradosh Kaal
Place of Worship	A Shiva Linga or picture of Shiva's family, a lamp and incense
Abhishek	Bathe the Linga in order with water, raw milk, honey, black sesame and Gangajal
Offerings	Bilva leaves, datura, arka flowers, sacred ash, sandalwood and rice grains
Mantra	Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times
Katha	Recite or listen to the Pradosh Vrat Katha
Aarti	Perform Shiva's aarti with a ghee lamp
Parana	Break the fast with sattvic food after the worship

Do not use a copper vessel while offering milk to the Shiva Linga. Use a vessel of silver, brass or steel for milk. Tulsi leaves and the ketaki flower are not offered in Shiva worship.

The Pradosh Fast Through the Lens of Vedic Astrology

Concern	Astrological Indication	Recommended Pradosh
Burden of debt	Afflicted 6th house or Mars	Bhaum Pradosh
Mangal Dosha	Mars in the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house	Bhaum Pradosh
Saturn's Sade Sati	Adverse transit of Saturn	Shani Pradosh
Concerns about children	Afflicted 5th house	Shani Pradosh
Mental unrest	Afflicted Moon	Som Pradosh
Health concerns	Afflicted ascendant or 6th house	Ravi Pradosh and Mahamrityunjaya japa

What Should Be Done and Avoided in the Pradosh Fast?

Do	Do Not
Check the time of Pradosh Kaal in the Panchang	Do not worship after Pradosh Kaal has passed
Bathe again in the evening and then worship	Do not offer tulsi or ketaki to the Shiva Linga
Perform abhishek with black sesame and raw milk	Do not use a copper vessel for offering milk
Make a practical plan for freedom from debt too	Avoid anger and quarrels on the day of the fast
Seek a doctor's advice for problems with children	Stay away from tamasic food and alcohol

Mahadeva Dancing at the Hour of Dusk

Pradosh Kaal is the time when day fades and night begins. It is a time of change, a junction. It is believed that at this very time Lord Shiva dances in bliss and showers grace on his devotees. On a cold evening of Magha month, when the devotee offers water and sesame to the Shiva Linga, they pray to turn the darkness of their life into the light of Shiva.

For the person who keeps the Pradosh fasts of Magha with faith and discipline, the crises of life slowly begin to pass. The burden of debt grows lighter, the troubles of Saturn lessen and a trust awakens in the mind that every difficulty can be overcome in the shelter of Mahadeva.

FAQ

When does the Pradosh fast fall?
The Pradosh fast falls on the Trayodashi tithi of both fortnights of every month. In Magha month it is kept on Magha Krishna Trayodashi and Magha Shukla Trayodashi.

What is the importance of Bhaum Pradosh?
A Pradosh that falls on a Tuesday is called Bhaum Pradosh. Tradition regards it as special for freedom from debt, pacifying Mangal Dosha and protection from illness.

What is the fruit of Shani Pradosh?
A Pradosh that falls on a Saturday is called Shani Pradosh. Tradition regards it as granting the joy of children and protection from the troubles of Saturn's Sade Sati and Dhaiya.

When is Pradosh Kaal?
Pradosh Kaal is a period of about an hour and a half around sunset. Always check the exact time in the local Panchang of your city.

What should be offered to the Shiva Linga on the Pradosh fast?
Bathe the Shiva Linga with water, raw milk, honey, black sesame and Gangajal and offer bilva leaves, datura, arka flowers, sacred ash and sandalwood.