2020 Pradosh or Pradosham Dates

Significance of Pradosham

Pradosha or Pradosham is a bimonthly occasion on the thirteenth day of every fortnight in the  Hindu calendar. Trayodashi (“thirteen”) refers to the thirteenth day in a lunar phase or fortnight of the Hindu calendar. Each month has two Trayodashi days, falling on the thirteenth day of the moon’s ‘bright phase’ and ‘dark phase,’ respectively.

Pradosh refers to the twilight period, just before sunset and immediately after sunset, when it is believed that Lord Shiva is in his most cheerful mood and most likely to give of his energies. Therefore the most optimal time for meditation and ritual on pradosham is during an auspicious 3 hour period that falls 1.5 hours before and after sunset.

For pradosham rituals based on your own birth chart download the align27 app.

To keep track of when pradosham occurs based on where you live, download the Cosmic Insights App.

Special Pradoshams

If this day falls on a Monday (Moon/Soma Day) it is called Soma Pradosham which is one of the most auspicious days for Lord Shiva, The Destroyer.

When Pradosh falls on a Saturday it is referred to as “Shani Pradosh” or “Shani Trayodashi”.

In this day and age it is extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva during Pradosh. The rituals are usually done during the twilight time which is when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are considered to be in the most propitious mood.

Skanda Purana states that if a devotee observes the Pradosh Vrat he never suffers from lack of wealth for 100 lifetimes. Worship of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati on Pradosh days is sure to redeem us from all our sins from all lifetimes.

The combination of Tuesday ruled by Bhauma or Mars and Trayodashi or the 13th Lunar day is called Bhauma Pradosh Vrat. People who have any doshas related to Mars in their horoscope can observe this vrat to be free from any obstacles/issues created by Mars. You can also strengthen your Mars by keeping this fast. 

Our Puranas say that Lord Shiva honored Mars or Bhauma for his severe penance (tapas) by giving him the status of a planet and his own Loka which is known as “Mangal Loka”. Mangal means “auspiciousness” and it is another name of Mars.

Pradosham Dates for 2020