Significance of Pradhosham
Efficacy of Pradhosha Worship:
Pradhosham denotes the end of day time and the beginning of night. This is also called the period of Asuras( Rakshasa Vaelai). So during this period one is forbidden to eat or drink. One is advised to perform Siva Pooja at this period. The duration between 4.30 pm and 6.00 pm is called Nithya Pradhosham. The same duration of time on the Thrio Dhasi day immediately following the New Moon day is called Monthly Pradhosham (maassa pradhosham) and the same duration on the Thrio Dhasi day following the Full Moon day is called Paksha Prashodham. The Pradhosham that falls on any Saturday is called Maha Pradhosham.(Sani Pradhosham)
Worshipping Siva on this day is bound to give the efficacy for a period of 5 years. Worshipping the Pradhosha Utsava Moorthys (procession of the idols along the corridors) is equal to witnessing the rejuvenation of three temples (Kumbabishekam) and also equal to visiting 100 holy shrines.
Worshiping Mode: Take early bath and perform daily rituals with full concentration. Go to any Siva Temple in the morning and worship the deity there. If possible one can undertake fast also. Holy scriptures such Thevaram, Rudhra Japam etc. can be chanted. In the evening go to the Siva temple with archana materials such as arugampul garland for Nandheeswarar, flowers, bilva garland for Siva. Lighting ghee lamps , distributing free prasathams to the devotees, supplying sugar added hot milk to the vedic pandits, sivachariars and odhuvaars etc. are bound to have the very significant effect on the devotee.
The devotees are advised not to touch any IDOLS/ STATUES etc. If anyone touches them out of curiosity, it would have a negative effect instead. The respective Sivachariars are the ONLY authorized people to either touch or perform abishekam or adorn the flower garlands on such idols.
Special Benefits:
Devotees who worship Lord Siva with Goddess Parvathi on the pradhosham will have the blessings equal to that of performing thousand Aswametha yagnam. Especially witnessing the Deepa Aaradhanai showing to the Idols at the Easanya Moola during the second round would relieve the devotees from their sickness, debts, poverty, sin, deadly pains etc. Offering Kaapparisi, arugampul , vanni leaves to the Nandheeswarar would keep them from the evil effects of Saturn.