Pradosha puja

Pradosha puja is unique in Siva temples as worship in the evening. Pradosha puja falls twice a month on Trayodasi (thithi), preceded by two days on Amavasai^[1] and Paurnami. The myth states that Siva wanted to save the divas from the poison which came out when the ocean of milk was churned, on an Trayodasi day which happened to be a Saturday. In order to bless and please the devas, Siva is said to have stood between the two horns of Vrishabha during Pradosha time (4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.) in the presence of devas, risis and bhutagana sand rendered cosmic Sandhya tandava.^[2] Therefore Pradosha occurring on a Saturday is considered to be superior to other Pradosha days. Most devotees prefer to pray to Lord Siva or remain in the Siva temple the Pradosha period. Devotees, fasting on the Pradosha day, break their fasting after the evening prayer. In the Adavalleswarar temple, the Nitya Puja of the evening takes place along with Pradosha Puja. As soon as the musical instruments start sounding, Nandi found in front of the dvajastambha is anointed with milk, curd, honey and rose water.