Author: Priyanka Mahajan | Last Updated: Tue 12 Jul 2011 1:13:10 PM
Pradosham, the best time to worship and honor Lord Shiva. When will these auspicious days fall in 2016? When to please the Neelkanth? Read this article on Pradosham 2016 and get to know all.
Pradosham is the monthly fasting devoted to Lord Shiva as well as Goddess Parvati. Pradosham is observed in almost every part of South India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala. As per the Pradosha Purana, Pradosham Puja is one of the most divine and auspicious Pujas. This fast is kept on every 13th day of fortnight, as per the Hindu calendar. Pradosham fast is observed two times in a month. The waning phase of the Moon, also known as Krishna Paksha is considered good for keeping Pradosham Vrat and the waxing phase of the Moon, i.e. the Shukla Paksha is also an auspicious day on which this Vrat can be kept.
It is believed that one can seek the glory and blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati by observing Pradosh Vrat.
Before talking more about Pradosham, let’s take a look at the dates of Pradosh Vrat 2016.
Date | Day | Pradosham |
7 January | Thursday | Budh Pradosham |
21 January | Thursday | Budh Pradosham |
6 February | Saturday | Shani Pradosham |
20 February | Saturday | Shani Pradosham |
6 March | Sunday | Ravi Pradosham |
20 March | Sunday | Ravi Pradosham |
5 April | Tuesday | Bhauma Pradosham |
19 April | Tuesday | Bhauma Pradosham |
4 May | Wednesday | Budh Pradosham |
19 May | Thursday | Guru Pradosham |
2 June | Thursday | Guru Pradosham |
17 June | Friday | Shukra Pradosham |
2 July | Saturday | Shani Pradosham |
17 July | Sunday | Ravi Pradosham |
31 July | Sunday | Ravi Pradosham |
15 August | Monday | Soma Pradosham |
29 August | Monday | Soma Pradosham |
14 September | Wednesday | Budh Pradosham |
28 September | Wednesday | Budh Pradosham |
13 October | Thursday | Guru Pradosham |
27 October | Thursday | Guru Pradosham |
12 November | Saturday | Shani Pradosham |
26 November | Saturday | Shani Pradosham |
11 December | Sunday | Ravi Pradosham |
26 December | Monday | Soma Pradosham |
Make the best of these dates and get closer to Lord Shiva.
Once upon a time, the gods as well as the demons were churning the milk ocean to extract the nectar (Amrit) with the help of serpent king, Vasuki. Vasuki while being used as a rope for churning the ocean got hurt. He also began to spit dark poison into the milk ocean. As the poison had the ability to destroy both the worlds, everyone got frightened. To seek help, they went to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva felt pity on them and was overwhelmed by their prayers. He then directed Sundara to rush immediately to the milk ocean and collect all the poison. As per the instructions, Sundara collected all the poison. He held it in his hands like the Jambu fruit and returned back to the Kailash Parvat.
Lord Shiva got so impressed with Sundaram that he gave him the name 'Halahala'. He then the Halahala pellet from his hand and swallowed it. On the order of Goddess Parvati, the pellet got freezed in Lord Shiva's throat, making it blue. This incident gave an unforgettable name to Shiva. The name he got was ‘Neelkanth’.
On the thirteenth day, i.e. on Trayodashi the gods realized that they didn't pray to Lord Shiva and asked the Lord to forgive them. Lord Shiva felt very pleased and forgave them. He danced between the two horns of the holy bull, Nandi. This time period has been given the name Pradosham. It is believed that if anyone makes any wish during Pradosham, Lord Shiva happily agrees to it and fulfils it. Thus, Pradosham is one of the main Pujas performed by Shaivites. This Puja provides eternal freedom (Moksha).
This was all about Pradosh Vrat 2016. Go through all the Pradosham dates of 2016 and get blessed by Shiva.
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