10 Dec 2008 Pradosham (Triodashi starts on Wed 10dec 4.40 am and ends 11 Dec 3.45 am)

Pradhosha pooja is one of the most important among the poojas performed to the Graceful Lord Shiva. "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) between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradhosha. It comes once in fifteen moon days. Pradhosha time is especially meant for appeasing Lord Shiva. Praying in that time will free us from our sins and grant us salvation(hence the name Pradhosha). During pradosham a special type of circumambulation called soma sutra pradashinam is done."

I have decided to go to a shiva temple this evening. The speciality of this Pradosham is that its falling in the month of Iypasi.The triodasi period is from dawn to the next day dawn called Uthama Pradhosham.This (triodasi time period) is according to the site http://www.pradosham.com/ .The current moon phase is waxing gibbous and is 92% full. In tamil its called Valar Pirai. For more moon phases visit http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/. This Pradosham is falling on a Wednesday hence worship benefits incude good children ,knowledge and education.During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful.
Milk gives long life
Ghee gives Moksha state
Curd gives good children
Honey gives melodious voice
Rice powder frees from debts
Sugar cane juice gives good health
Panjamrutham gives wealth
Lemon removes fear of death
Sugar removes enmity
Tender coconut gives enjoyment
Cooked Rice(Annam) gives majestic life
Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace

This picture is courtesy Poompuhar, the government authorised handicraft shop.Do visit the site http://tamilnaduhandicrafts.com/ for further details. You can buy the pradosha lamp from there. Will give you the details of the shiva temple that iam going to visit today in the next post.