Pradosham

                 Pradhosha pooja is one of the most important among the poojas performed to the Graceful Lord Shiva.Pradosha literally means ‘a period just before sunset and after sunset’. In Shukla Paksha (15 moon days from New moon to Full moon) and Krishna Paksha (15 moon days from Full moon to New moon) the evening of the trayodasi (thirteenth moon day).The auspicious 3 hour period, 1.5 hours before and after the sunset is one of the optimum time for worship of Lord Shiva. The fast or vow performed during the period is called "Pradosha vrata".

Pradhosha Purana:

          Once Dhevas and Asuras using the serpent (large snake) Vasuki and the hill Mandhara were trying to get Amrutham (nector) from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Then the terrible poison Halahalam came up. All got frightened and pleaded to Lord Shiva for rescue. Being the peak of mercy Lord Shiva ate that poison. Then as per His order they resumed their effort to get Amrutham. They got it on Dhwadhasi (twelfth moon day).

        On thrayodhasi (thirteenth moon day) they realised their sin of not praying the God and pleaded for forgiveness. The pleased graceful Lord Shiva forgave them and danced between the horns of the Nandhi (holy bull). That time is called Pradhosham.

         When Pradosham day falls 

                                        on Monday it is called Soma Pradosham, 

                                        on Tuesday it is called Bhauma Pradoshamand 

                                        on Saturday it is called as Shani Pradosham.

Significance Of Sani Pradosham

          Saturn is one of the most powerful Planets. He moves slowly through the zodiac, 2-1/2 years per sign, so his influence is felt very keenly. Saturn's grace creates Kings from paupers and vice versa.

         According to Hindu mythology, the day Saturday is dedicated to Lord Shani or Shaneeshwara, one of the Navagrahas or nine celestial gods. Lord Shani or Sani has always been related with troubles and ill effects. Moreover, all Hindus believing in astrology dread the effects of Shani over a person’s life. To overcome and avoid the adversities and misfortunes of Lord Shani, people observe fasts on Shanivar or Saturday. And when a Pradosh falls on a Saturday, it is termed as Shani Pradosh. To overcome the bad influence of Shani, devotees observe a vrat on Shani Pradosh and offering prayers to Shiva during the day.

Somavaram Pradosham:

One of the names of Lord Shiva is Soma, Lord Someshvara, who has placed the Crescent (the Moon / the Soma) in his matted hair. Somavara (Mondays) are very auspicious for Lord Shiva. Moreover Soma means – Saha Uma (Goddess Parvathi). Mondays are not only for Lord Shiva but also very auspicious for Goddess Parvathi. Hence offering poojas on Pradosham’s occurring on Mondays not only helps you in gaining the abundant blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi but also enables one to negate the malefic effects caused by Chandra Dosha (afflictions caused by the Moon).

Another fierce form of Shiva is Rudra. Rudra's grace can eliminate disease, enemies, and destructive negative influences from within and without. As a form of Shiva, the rituals done on a Saturday Pradosham or Monday Pradosham are also extremely auspicious for Rudra (Lord Shiva).

     During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered  fruitful.

  

How to perform Somasutra pradakshinam during shiva pradosham

     During the Pradhosham time Somasutra pradakshinam is the suggested way of circumambulating Sivalingam. In some of the temples this is followed always. A point to note here is that the Gomukhi is never crossed. Gomukhi is the place where the water after anointing (abhisheka tirtham) would be flowing northwards out. By doing this way of pradakshinam one does not step over this holy water.

“vrusham chandam vrusham saiva soma sutram punavrusham

chandam cha soma sutram cha punachandam punarvrusham”

     First saluting the Rishabha devar (Holy Bull) go anti-clockwise and salute chandishwar (not crossing the gomukhi). Now return in the clockwise manner salute Rishabham and continue clockwise till the Gomukhi (not cross it again). Then return in anti-clockwise direction salute the Rishabham again and proceed towards chandishar. From there return back clockwise without worshiping Rishabham and reach the gomukhi. Finally return back anti-clockwise from there to salute Rishabham and continue to chandishwar and return back to Rishabham and worship the shiva lingam (at the altar) by viewing through the space between the two horns of the Holy bull. This is one pradakshinam. Three such times pradadakshinam to be done.

        If you carefully observe the curve traced by doing the pradakshinam is very similar to the periphery of the CRESCENT. Hence this way of circumambulating is called SOMASUTRA PRADAKSHINAM.