Pradosh Vrat today: Shiva Puja shubh muhurat, Trayodashi Tithi time, vidhi, mantras, katha and significance

Budh Pradosh Vrat Trayodashi tithi timings, Shiva Puja shubh muhurat vidhi, mantras, katha and significance: For Shiv Ji's devotees, the Trayodashi Tithi (the thirteenth day of the Lunar fortnight), is of great significance. Special rituals are performed at homes and temples during Pradosh Kaal (twilight).

Devotees either observe a day-long fast or fast from sunrise to sunset and perform Shiva Puja during Pradosh Kaal (twilight). Today is the Budhwar, Trayodashi Tithi, Krishna Paksha, Paush (Wednesday, the thirteenth day during the waning phase of the Lunar fortnight in the Hindu month of Paush). Therefore, scroll down to know the Trayodashi Tithi timings, Shiv Puja shubh muhurat, vidhi, mantras, katha and significance.

Budh Pradosh Trayodashi Tithi timings December 2022

The Trayodashi Tithi will be effective from 12:45 AM on December 21 to 10:16 PM on December 21.
Budh Pradosh Vrat December 2022 Puja Shubh Muhurat
You may perform the Shiva Puja between 5:29 PM to 8:13 PM
Shiva Puja Vidhi
A devotee may perform the Panchopchara Puja (consisting of five rituals) or the Shodashopchara Puja (a procedure consisting of sixteen rituals performed in a specific order). Check out the details below:
Take a bath before puja and use a Panch Patra (utensils made especially for puja purposes) for performing the puja. Avoid using steel puja items. Instead opt for copper, brass or silver.

Cleanse the puja room with Gangajal.
Respectfully place an idol or photo of Shiv Ji or a Shiv Linga on a small brass/silver or earthen tray if you wish to do the Abhishek.
Cover a wooden chowki with a piece of white cloth and make a small seat by spreading raw rice in the centre.
Close your eyes and fold your hands for the Sankalpam (connect with your heart's deepest desire that you wish to see getting manifested).
Invoke Lord Shiva and begin the puja by performing the abhishekam of the Shiva Lingam or the idol of Lord Shiva. The order is as follows: Water, Gangajal, milk, honey, ghee, curd and water. (You may skip this step in case you are using a photo of Lord Shiva).

Wipe the idol with a fresh piece of cloth and carefully place it over the seat made of rice on the chowki.
Panchopchara Puja Vidhi

• Light an oil or ghee lamp and place it to the right of the deity.
• Chant 'OM Namah Shivaya'
• Apply chandan (Gandham).
• Light an incense stick.
• Subsequently, offer the vilva leaves, datura flowers and fruits and madar flowers etc. (Pushpam)
• Chant the Shiva Mantras shared below:
• Offer the ignited lamp (Deepam), followed by the incense sticks (Dhoopam) and bhog (Naivedhyam).

Conclude the puja by singing the Shiva Aarti and offering salutations with ignited camphor.

Shodashopchara Puja Vidhi

• Dhyana - Meditate
• Asana: Respectfully place Lord Shiva's idol/ Shiva Linga on a chowki (a wooden platform) covered with a piece of white cloth. and then light an oil lamp.
• Padya - Offer a few drops of water to the Lord's feet.
• Arghya - Offer water to the Lord.
• Achaman - Pour some water with the Udrani (spoon) on your right palm and drink it. Then rinse your hand by pouring some more water.

Snana - Sprinkle some water on the deity. You may also perform Abhishekam. Gently wipe the idol with a piece of fresh cloth. ( Do the Abhishek if your Shiva idol is made of Pancha Dhatu or stone).

Vastra - Offer a fresh piece of white cloth or a garland made of raw cotton balls or kalava.

Yagnopaveeth - Offer the sacred Janeu and Akshat

Gandha - Offer Chandan paste or natural perfume

Pushpa - Then offer Datura flowers, Vilva leaves (Bel Patra) etc

Dhoop - Offer incense sticks and dhoop

Deep - Offer an oil lamp (Read the vrat katha shared below)

Naivedhya - Offer bhog (fruits or any vegetarian recipe without onion and garlic. You may also offer the Tamboolam (paan, supari, a coconut with husk, Dakshina, banana and/or some fruits)

Pradakshina or Parikrama/ circumambulate - stand up and turn around from your right thrice.

Aarti - Offer your salutations by singing the aarti.

Pushpanjali - Offer flowers and do pranam.

Pradosh Vrat Katha
Here's how a devotee can become a recipient of Lord Shiva's blessings:

A poor Brahmin woman with a child was widowed at a young age. As a result, she was left with little support to make ends meet. Hence she sought alms to survive. However, her faith in the almighty remained unshakable. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and observed the Pradosh Vrat with utmost devotion.
Once, while returning to her humble shelter, she found a royal child lying injured. Distressed by the sight, she took the wounded prince home and took great care of him. Years passed, and one day, a Gandharva princess named Anshumati saw the prince ( who had grown into a charming young man) and fell in love with him at first sight.

A few days later, Anshumati visited the poor Brahmin's house with her parents with a marriage proposal. Subsequently, Lord Shiva appeared in Anshumati's parents' dream and advised getting their daughter married to the prince. So Anshumati's parents took Lord Shiva's command as a blessing. And the marriage was solemnised with the blessings of the poor woman.
Eventually, the prince defeated his enemy and saved his parents, who were held captive. As a result, he also won his lost kingdom.

Subsequently, as a mark of gratitude, the prince took the Brahmin woman and her son to his palace.

Significance of Pradosh Vrat
Legends suggest that Lord Shiva triumphed over the Asuras (demons) in a battle to save the universe from destruction. Here's what happened on an eventful Trayodashi Tithi during Pradosh Kaal...
The Devas (Gods) rushed to Kailasha (Lord Shiva's heavenly abode) during Pradosh Kaal (twilight) to rid themselves of the demons (Asuras) who created havoc and threatened law and order. Therefore, Lord Shiva and his mount (vahana) Nandi fought a fierce battle to restore peace.

Therefore, devotees observe the Pradosh vrat on the Trayodashi Tithi and perform puja during Pradosh Kaal as a token of gratitude to Mahadev.