Pradosh Vrat Puja Vidhi (प्रदोष व्रत पूजा विधि)
The evening puja method of Pradosh Vrat: Pradosh Kaal, Shiv abhishek, bel patra, katha, mantras and fasting rules.
When to do it
- On Trayodashi of each paksha
- Puja in the Pradosh Kaal (around sunset)
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Fast through the day
Keep a fruit fast or no food during the day and remember Shiva.
Evening bath and preparation
Bathe a little before sunset and wear clean clothes.
Shiv abhishek
Perform the abhishek of the Shivling with water, milk and so on.
Bel patra and dhatura
Offer bel patra, dhatura and white flowers.
Katha and aarti
Listen to the Pradosh Vrat katha and perform the Shiv aarti.
Parana
After the puja, eat fruit or complete the fast with sattvic food.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Keep the evening time for Shiva puja
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Do not offer tulsi (tradition)
- Avoid sleeping during the day
Common mistakes
- Taking the Pradosh Kaal time wrongly; check the panchang
- Rushing through the puja
Auspicious muhurat
Pradosh Kaal is considered about 1.5 hours around sunset. Check your city’s time in the panchang. Som Pradosh and Shani Pradosh are considered special.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
When is Pradosh Kaal?
What is Som Pradosh?
What can be eaten in the Pradosh fast?
Can women also keep the Pradosh fast?
How many Pradosh fasts should be kept?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.