Sunday, April 26, 2009

The 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva

The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines or the 12 shrines enshrining Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam, have been held in reverence since time immemorial in the Indian system of beliefs. The southernmost of these is located at Rameswaram, while the northernmost is located in the snowy heights of the Himalayas at Kedarnath. These temples are closely linked with legends from the puranas and are rich in history and tradition.

Somnath is the foremost of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva, held in reverence throughout India and is rich in legend, traditions and history. It is located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.

Ujjain - Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine The ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Jyotirlinga shrine of Mahakaleshwar.

Bhimashankar - Jyotirlinga Shrine is associated with the legend of Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura. Bhimashankar is located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, accessed from Pune.

Tryambakeshwar - The origin of the river Godavari is intimately linked with this Jyotirlinga shrine near Nasik in Maharashtra.

Rameswaram: This vast temple in the island of Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu enshrines Ramalingeswarar, and is revered as the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India.

Omkareshwar: an island in the course of the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple.

Vaidyanath temple at Deogarh The ancient pilgrimage town of Deogarh in the Santal Parganas area of Bihar is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva.

Sree Sailam - Sree Sailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple rich in architectural and sculptural wealth. Aadi Sankaracharya composed his Sivanandalahiri here.

Kedarnath - the Northernmost of the Jyotirlingas. Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible only on foot, six months in a year.

Varanasi - The most celebrated pilgrimage site in India The Vishwanath temple in Benares in Uttar Pradesh is the goal of the thousands of pilgrims that visit this ancient city. The Vishwanath shrine is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrine is a temple located in the vicinity of the tourist town of Ellora, which has several rock cut monuments from the 1st millennium CE.

Saurashtre Somanaatham Cha Sree Saile Mallikarjunam
Ujjayinyaam Mahaakaalam Omkaare Mamaleswaram
Himalaye to Kedaram Daakinyaam Bhimashankaram
Vaaranaasyaam cha Viswesam Trayambakam Gowtameethate
Paralyaam Vaidyanaatham cha Naagesam Daarukaavane
Setubandhe Ramesham Grushnesam cha Shivaalaye

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Pradosham Dates 2009

08 January 2009 - Thursday
23 January 2009 - Friday
07 February 2009 - Saturday
22 February 2009 - Sunday
08 March 2009 - Sunday
24 March 2009 - Tuesday
07 April 2009 - Tuesday
22 April 2009 - Wednesday
06 May 2009 - Wednesday
22 May 2009 - Friday
05 June 2009 - Friday
20 June 2009 - Saturday
04 July 2009 - Saturday
19 July 2009 - Sunday
03 August 2009 - Monday
18 August 2009 - Tuesday
02 September 2009 - Wednesday
16 September 2009 - Wednesday
01 October 2009 - Thursday
15 October 2009 - Thursday
31 October 2009 - Saturday
14 November 2009 - Saturday
29 November 2009 - Sunday
13 December 2009 - Sunday
29 December 2009 - Tuesday

Pradhosha Mahima

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 praying Lord Shiva. Praying in that time will free us from out sins and gives moksha finally (hence the name Pradhosha). During pradoSha time a special type of circumambulating called soma sUtra pradaxiNam(1) is done.

Pradhosha Purana:

Once Dhevas and Asuras using the serpent 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). Without praying and thanking the God, by whom they got Amrutham, Devas started dancing and celebrating their victory.

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. Whoever prays Lord Shiva in that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and give them mukthi.

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 mejestic life
Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace

Anoint the Lord Shiva with Love, He would give Himself !!

Bilvam and flowers can be given for Shiva pooja. Please go to Shiva temple for every Pradhosham and live in His grace blissfully.


shivAya namaOm bhavAya namaH
bhavAya namaOm namaH shivAya

9th Pradosham_ 22.04.2009

Venue:

Flat 309,
Mubarak Bldg,
Behind Sana Fashions,
Karama, Dubai























8th Pradosham_ 07.04.2009

Venue:

Flat 309,
Mubarak Bldg,
Behind Sana Fashions
karama, Dubai





















Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Pradosha Mahima

Kailasa shaila bhuvane thri jaga janithreem,
Gowreedha nivesye kanakanchitha rathna peete,
Nrutham vidhthu mabhi vanchithi Soolapanau,
Deva Pradosha samaye anubhajanthi sarve., 1


During the time of Pradosha,The Lord who holds the trident,Makes Goddess Gowri,Who is the mother of all the three worlds,Sit on a golden seat inlaid with precious gems,And prepares to dance himself,And all the devas sing his praise at this time.

Vagdevi drutha vallaakee sathamukho
venum dhadhan padmaja-,
Sthallo nidhra karo ramaa bhagawathi,
geya prayogaanvithaa,
Vishnu saandra mrudanga vaadana patur
devas samanthath sthithaa,
Sevanthe thamara pradosha samaye
devam mrudaaneepathim., 2

The goddess of Knowledge plays Veena,The hundred faced Indra plays the flute,The Brahma who was born in a lotus keeps time,The Goddess Lakshmi starts to sing,The God Vishnu plays the drum with ease,And all the devas stand all round in service,And pray Lord Shiva during the time of pradosha.

Gandarwa Yaksha patha goraga siddha saadhya.
Vidhyadaraamaraapsaraso ganaascha,
Yeanyethi loka nilaya saha bhootha varga,
Prapthe pradosha samaye hara parswa samstha., 3


When the time of Pradosha arrives,Gandarwas, Yakshas, birds, snakes, saints,Vidhyadaras, devas, the celestial dancers, Bhoothas,And all the beings in the three worlds,Come and stand near The Lord Shiva.

Atha pradoshe shiva eka eva,
Poojyodhananye hari padmajadhya,
Thasmin mahese vidhinejyamane,
Sarve praseedanthi suradhi natha.., 4


So at the time of Pradosha,There is need to worship only Shiva,Instead of Vishnu, Brahma and others,For the proper worship of Lord Shiva then,Would give the effect of worshipping all gods.

Lokanahooya sarvaan vividha damarukair gora samsara magnan,
Dathwaabheetham dayalu pranatha bhava haram kunchitham vaama bhaagam,
Uddruthyedham vimukherayanamithi karadarshayan prathyayartham,
Bibradwanhim sabhaayaam kalaathi natanam ya shivo na sa paayal., 5


Let us be protected by that dancing Shiva,Who uses the various sounds of the shaking drum,To call all those people drowned in the fearful life,Who indicates protection to them using his right hand held down,Who lifts his left leg capable of killing all sorrows,To those who fall at his feet,Who indicates the path of salvation by his left hand held up,And who shows that all this is true by carrying fire in the other left hand,

Sathyam braveemi, paraloka hitham braveemi,
Saaram braveemi upanishadyadhyam braveemi,
Samsaramuthbanamasar vaapya jantho,
Saroyameeswarapadhamburuhasya seva., 6

I tell the truth,I tell what is good for the other world,I tell the views of the Upanishads,For every insignificant animal that is born,The only meaningful thing is the service to God.

Yenarchayanthi gireesam samaye pradoshe,
Ye na architham shivamapi pranamanthichanye,
Ethath kadhaam sruthi putair na pibanthi mooda,
Stheya janma subhavanthi naraa daridra., 7

He who does not worship Lord Shiva during Pradosha,He who does not at least bow before him at that time,He who does not at least listen to the story of Shiva at that time,Is a foolish soul who would be always poor,birth after birth.

Ye vai pradosha samaye parameswarasya,
Kurvanthyananya mansangri saroja poojaam,
Nithya pravrudha thara puthra kalathra mithra,
Soubhagya sambadadhikastha ihaiva loke., 8

He who during the time of Pradosha, worships Lord Shiva,With full concentration using lotus flowers,Would forever along with his children, wife and friends,Get all wealth and all luck in a very large measure.

Linga Ashtakam

Brahma Murari Sura architha Lingam,
Nirmala bashitha Shobitha Lingam,
Janmaja dukha vinasaka lingam.
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,Which is pure and resplendent,And which destroys sorrows of birth.
Deva Murari pravarchitha Lingam,
Kama dahana Karunakara lingam,
Ravana darpa vinashana lingam,
That pranamami sad shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is worshipped by great sages and devas,Which destroyed the god of love,Which showers mercy,And which destroyed the pride of Ravana.
Sarva sukandhi sulepitha lingam,
Budhi vivarthana karana lingam,
Siddha surasura vandhitha lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is anointed by perfumes,Which leads to growth of wisdom,And which is worshipped by sages, devas and asuras.
Kanaka mahamani bhooshitha lingam,.
Panipathi veshtitha shobitha lingam,
Daksha suyagna vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is ornamented by gold and great jewels,Which shines with the snake being with it,And which destroyed the Yagna of Daksha.
Kunkuma chandana lepitha lingam,
Pankaja hara sushobitha lingam,
Sanchitha papa vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is adorned by sandal paste and saffron,Which wears the garland of lotus flowers,And which can destroy accumulated sins.
Deva Ganarchitha sevitha lingam,
Bhavair bakthi pravesa lingam,
Dinakara koti prabhakara lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is served by gods and other beings,Which is the doorway for devotion and good thought,And which shines like billions of Suns.
Ashta dalopari veshtitha lingam,
Sarva samudbhava karana lingam,
Ashta daridra vinasana lingam,
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is surrounded by eight petals,Which is the prime reason of all riches,And which destroys eight types of poverty.
Suraguru sura vara poojitha Lingam,
Sura vana pushpa sadarchitha lingam,
Parathparam paramathmaka lingam,
That pranamai sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,Which is worshipped by the teacher of gods,Which is worshipped by the best of gods,Which is always worshipped by the flowers,From the garden of Gods,Which is the eternal abode,And which is the ultimate truth.
Lingashtakam, Idam Punyam padeth Shiva Sannidhow,
Shivalokam avapnothi shive na sahamodathe.

Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam,In the holy presence of Lord Shiva,Would in the end reach the world of Shiva,And keep him company.

Vadakkunathan Temple, Trichur





Vadakkunnathan temple also known as Then Kailasam and Vrishabhachalam occupies the pride of place on a hillock in the center of Thrissur town of Kerala. The Malayalam name for Thrissur also pronounced as Trichur is Thri-siva-Perur (The place where holy Shiva resides Shiva).


People believe that this temple is one of the fist consecrations done by Sage Parasurama after he reclaimed the present land of Kerala from the sea. It seems he requested Lord Shiva to show him the proper spot to build a temple. Lord Shiva then sent his steed Nandi and Simhodara to choose a proper place for the temple. They chose the present place and Lord Parasurama consecrated the temple here for Lord Shiva. It seems he also consecrated the idol of Lord Rama and Lord Shankaranarayana in this temple. Besides these three Gods, the temple also has Lord Ganapathy, and Goddess Parvathy.





In the Sankara Vijaya, it is mentioned that Adi Shankara’s parents came to this temple and did Bhajanam(prayer) for begetting a son. Lord Shiva blessed them with Adi Sankara. Some people also believe that except for the Lord Shiva in this temple all other Gods were consecrated by sage Adi Sankara when he visited this place. There is also a belief that Adi Sankara wrote his magnum opus “Soundarya Lahari” extolling the virtues of Goddess Parvathi of this temple.


There are many interesting stories about this great temple. Some of them are:-
When Poonthanam Namboodiri, a bhakti-poet of Kerala (circa 16th CE) did pooja in this temple., Lord Shiva appeared before him as Lord
Vishnu and told the assembled people about the oneness of the Gods.


When Adhi Shankara came here he first did Pooja to Lord Shiva. But he was not able to walk to the temple of Parvathi which is behind this temple. At that time a baby girl came and offered him a cup of milk. But Adi Sankara could not lift his hands to receive the milk. He told the baby, “I do not have Shakthi (strength) to receive this cup from you.”. Then the girl told him, “That is because you seem to have forgotten about Shakthi.” It seems then he realized his mistake and started composing prayers in praise of the Goddess. Soundarya Lahari is among the first and it was composed here.

Once a handsome saint used to daily sing the praise of the Lord. All the women devotees used to watch him with great devotion. But it seems, all the children born after that had the features of the handsome saint. People started getting perturbed. Lord Shiva then sent his white bull to this temple. Thereafter the people noticed that all the Calves born after that period in their homes were of white color! They now realized their mistake and begged pardon of the great saint. The statue of this white bull can be seen in this temple.
The vi graham or deity of Vadakkunnathan is that of a hunter who gave Pasupathasthra to Arjuna. The legend says that in altercation which ensued between them, Arjuna seem to have hit the Lord with his bow. This caused a wound. When doctors were consulted, they prescribed that pouring of Ghee over the wound would cure it. On this basis, the main worship of the Shiva temple is Abhisheka (Anointment) with ghee. Since this has been going on for ages, the idol is fully covered in solidified ghee and hence we will not able to see the vi-graha but only a mount of ghee. It is a wonder of wonders that this ghee neither gets spoiled nor melts. Once in a while a small portion of the ghee falls from this mount. This is given to the devotees and it is believed that it has a lot of curative properties.It is also said that if at all the ghee melts, then disaster would ensue.


There is a large area - around 18 acres surrounding the temple. This was once upon a time a teak wood forest and even today it is called Thekkin Kadu meaning a teak wood forest. One great king of Cochin who was interested in the development of Trichur town ordered the clearing up of the forest. However, the soothsayer of Paramekkavu temple,which is another great temple nearby, told him that the teak wood trees are like the hair of the goddess and should not be cut. But it seems, Shakthan Thamburan the king, first cut off the head of the soothsayer and later cleared the forest.


Another strange fact about the temple is that though Tippu Sultan marched through Trichur he did not either loot or cause any harm to the temple.

There are no intrinsic festivals in this temple except for the observation of Shiva Rathri. However, the presiding deities from several temples in the neighborhood viz Thiruvambadi, Chembakkavu, Paramekkavu, Naithalakkavu, Panekkam palli, Karamukku, Ayyanthol, Lalooru, Kannimangalam and Panekkampalli come to visit Lord Shiva on the Trissur Pooram day along with their caparisoned elephants accompanied by an orchestra of musicians playing typical instruments such as the 'chenda', 'maddhalam', 'edakka', 'ela- thalam', 'kombu' etc which form a type of temple art musical offering known as the 'pancha vaadyam'. Thirty elephants assemble in the courtyard, followed by an eye catching exchange of huge parasols known as ;kuda maatham' in Malayalam. The festivities last 24 hours, watched over by more than a million people from all over including foreign tourists, culminating in a fantastic display of fire works which steal the show. This festival is one of the greatest if not the grandest festivals of Kerala.

In this temple there is a very elaborate ritual for a visit. First, visitors must take a bath in the tank to the west of the temple after which they must go around the banyan tree seven times. Only then are they to enter the temple through the main gate. There is a procedure for doing the perambulation ('pradakshinam') of the deities which is to be followed and which a new pilgrim could learn from the regular temple goers there.

The ritual visit should be on the following path. On the left side, there is a pit said to have been made by Arjuna’s bow. We have to wash our legs there and visit and pray at the Lord Krishna’s temple. There after we have to offer prayers to the statue of Nandi followed by Lord Parsurama’s statue. Here we have also to salute the Simhodharan who was one of the co-founders of the temple. Later we have to walk towards north and salute Lord Viswanatrha of Benares. We then have to walk towards south east and climbing the stone,pray to Lord Ramanatha of Rameshwaram and Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram. Thereafter we move south and salute the Bhagawathi of Kodungallore, the Bhagawathy of Oorakam. and then Lord Bharatha of Irinjalakkuda. We have to meditate thereafter on Veda Vyasa and write the 51 alphabets on the stone of Vyasa. Then we have to salute Lord Ayyappa and walk towards north. There we have to pluck a flower, wear it and after saluting the conch and the holy wheel enter the temple of Lord Shankara Narayana.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

World Largest Shiva Linga 108 Ft. Tallest
















15 acres land spreading CRORE of Shivalinga so its called "Kotilingeshwara"ONE CRORE AND ABOVE SHIVALINGS IN ONE PLACE

108 ft, Shivalinga is tallest of its kind in the World and accompanying it is a 35 ft tall "Basavana"
















Someshwara is the presiding deity in the temple of same name. The temple is situated in the heart of Kolar. Lord shiva is worshipped as someshwara. The temple was built by the Chola kings who ruled the region in about 11th century. The cholas were eventually driven out by the Kannada-speaking Chalukyas, but the temples which they built still remain a testimony to the magnificent architecture of the Cholas. The someshawara temple is built in the typical Chola style of temple building with a huge Gopuram at the entrance of the temple.


The Cholas took over this region around 1000 CE, and later on the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara rulers ruled.It was the battlefield for the warring kingdoms of Chalukyas in the north and Cholas to the south.


It was the capital of the Gangas till 4th century AD when they shifted the capital to Talakad in Mysore. In 1004 A.D., the Cholas annexed Kolar till 1116 A.D,. Vishnuvardhana (1108-1142AD) freed Gangavadi from the Cholas, and in commemoration of his victory, built the celebrated Vijayanarayana (Chennakeshva) Temple Someswara Temple is a fine example of Vijayanagara style while the Kolaramma temple is of Dravida Vimana Style built in Ganga Tradition(11 century-A.D).


Why is Hindu God Shiva Worshipped in the Form of Linga or Lingam?


The most popular form of worshipping Lord Shiva in Hinduism is in the Linga form. It is known as Shivling or Shivalinga. The Linga symbol is an attempt to give form to the formless, referred as Supreme Being or Brahman in Hindu religion. When a Linga is installed on a Yoni, it represents the union of Shiva and Shakti – the beginning of creation.

Linga in Sanskrit means symbol or sign. One of the first uses of the term ‘linga’ in association with Shiva is found in the Shvetasvatara Upanishad – it says that Lord Shiva, the Supreme Being, has no linga (sign or symbol). In simple terms, it is impossible to define Brahman or that is alinga.

Now it is not possible for a common man to pray to Brahman which is beyond any characteristic. Human beings need a form to worship. In Sanatana Dharma, each individual has the freedom to define the Supreme Being or Brahman in the most convenient way he/ she is comfortable.

When our ancestors stood in crude nature, what bewildered him most would have been the regenerative method – his own and those of animals around him. This must also have been the time when he was looking to give an expression to the Supreme Power. It is only natural that the male reproductive organ appeared to him as the ideal symbol as it represented strength and regenerative power.

The worship of Linga is not exclusive to Hinduism. Menhirs and Phallus have been worshipped by many ancient societies.

The Mahabharata says ‘Know everything, which is male, to be Ishana, and all that is female to be Uma; for this whole world, animate and inanimate, is pervaded by these two bodies. Shiva’s divine Linga is worshipped by the Gods, seers, Gandharvas and Apsaras.’ (Chapter 7, section 20, verses 22)

The greatness of this form of Shiva is based on the fact that the children bear neither the lotus symbol of Brahma nor of Vishnu’s discuss…but one marked with the male and female organs, the linga and yoni, originated from Mahadeva and Devi (Chapter 13, section 19, verses 78)

Puranas and Epics in Hinduism narrate in detail why Shiva is worshipped in the form of linga. It is said that the Supreme Being appeared before Lord Brahma and Vishnu in the form of a ‘pillar of fire’, which had no end and beginning. It is one among the many symbols of Brahman. There are numerous other incidents in the Puranas including the famous Deodar forest incident in which the wives of saints are attracted to Shiva and he castrates himself and leaves the Linga on earth as his symbol.

Many of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu is known to have worshipped the Shivlinga including Lord Ram, Parashuram and Krishna. When the mind is clear and is without prejudices, we will realize that the Linga form of Shiva is the most innocent form of Brahman that our ancestors had realized. It is pure and they got it from pure nature. Many of the forms that we worship today are the reflections of our mind, which is corrupted by ego, society and education. It is not pure.

That is why many people mention that Linga worship is a crude method and they are ashamed of it. Many are comfortable with the beautiful form of Brahman – that includes the handsome human form of Shiva, Vishnu and other gods. There is nothing wrong in worshipping Shiva and Vishnu in the handsome form because Brahman can be worshipped in any form.

An ancient Greek philosopher had said that if horses were to worship a god it would have the shape of a horse. All attempt whether it is Linga, human form or animal form is an attempt to give form to the indefinable Brahman.

We then strongly defend that my form is the true form and the other form is wrong without realizing that everything is Brahman.
What is Pradosham and its significance?

Pradosha pooja is one of the most sacred and important according to PRADOSHA PURANA.


Once the gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) were churning the milky ocean with the help of Vasuki, the serpent king, hoping to extract amrtam (nectar) from the Kseerabthi (milk ocean). Vasuki who was employed as a rope for churning, endured severe abrasions and strangulation. Thereupon, she spewed halahalam, a potent dark poison capable of destroying the worlds. Threatened by the scorching venom, the celestials fled in great horror. Brahma took to His heels. Vishnu’s bluish body darkened further. Indra could not be seen. Agni, the fire god, could not bear the raging heat. Yama ran amuck in all directions. Varuna became unconscious, Kubera fled. Hosts of siddhas, Caranas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and Maharshis went to Kailasa and sought the Lord’s feet as refuge.

Lord Shiva was moved with pity at their plight and was overcome with compassion by their prayers. Soon He bade Sundara for a prompt intervention, who then rushed to the ocean, collected the all-pervasive poison ( Halahala) and holding it in his hand as a small jambu fruit, returned to Kailasa. The Lord became exceedingly happy after seeing it. He showed it to Girija and gave the title ‘Halahala’ to Sundara, who thenceforth came to be known as Halahala Sundara. Thereupon, the Lord accepted the Halahala pellet from his hand and, with the loving permission of Universal Mother, swallowed it. By goddessUma’s command, the pellet froze in the Lord’s throat, painting it blue and becoming an embellishment, gave Him the name NilakanTa. [It is also a common practice for womanhood to worship Goddess Parvathi for long life of Husbands as She is having ‘Maangalya Baagyam’ and could turn the poison into nectar].

On Trayodhasi(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. Whoever Prays Lord Shiva in that time, Lord Shiva fulfills their wishes and give them mukthi. Anoint Lord Shiva with Love, He would give Himself!

Among the poojas performed by Shaivites 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 pm to 6.00 p.m. is called "Pradosham". It comes once in fifteen moon days. Pradosha time is to Pray Lord Shiva and invoke His Blessings.


Chanting Rudram and Chamakam during the Pradosham time , that too in a Group is considered most auspicious.

Sree Rudram, ‘the most sacred’ among mantras is not only due to its positioning, and placement, at the very centre of the Taittiriya Samhita; certainly, that in and of itself is of great importance. Its claim for eminence among mantras is primarily due to hhe fact that there is no other mantra that is said to please Lord Rudra more than the chanting of Namakam and Chamakam by His devotees.