There are different Pradosh Vrat Katha (stories) behind why the Pradosh Vrat is observed. Pradosh Vrat is dedicated to Lord Shiva and falls on Trayodashi (the thirteenth day of every fortnight) of the Hindu calendar. People observe fast and perform rituals on this day. Worshipping Lord Shiva during the Pradosha Kaal brings his grace upon the devotee.

Pradosh Vrat Katha:

There are many stories behind why the Pradosh Vrat is celebrated, and why it is celebrated on the thirteenth day only. The story of a prince and a beggar woman is the most popular.

The Prince and the Priest’s Wife:

Once upon a time in India, a poor Brahmin priest used to perform puja to make ends meet. He had a wife and a son. One day, in an unfortunate event, he lost his life, leaving behind his wife and son without anyone to look after them. The priest’s wife had no option but to beg to feed her son and herself.

Once, she was returning home after collecting some alms when she saw a handsome but wounded man at the side of the road. The wife of the priest was very kind. She took pity on him and brought him to her home. She cared for his wounds and gave him whatever she had to eat. The prince started living with the woman and her son in her tiny house.

In her house, he saw her doing Pradosha Vrat. He asked her about it and came to know about its importance. Therefore, he also started doing Pradosh Vrat.

The wounded man was actually the prince of Vidarbha, Dharmgagupta, who had lost his kingdom because of an enemy’s attacks. His enemies had also imprisoned his father. The prince somehow managed to escape from the attack and wandered aimlessly here and there.

After some days, because of the care of the priest’s wife, the prince recovered and returned to the pink of his health. Once, when he was wandering in a jungle, a beautiful Gandharva princess named Anshumati saw him and fell in love with him. She told her parents about him. Lord Shiva appeared in their dream and told them to marry Anshumati to Dharmagupta.

Therefore, they got Anshumati and Dharmagupta married. After that, Dharmagupta defeated his enemies with the help of the Gandharvas’ army and released his father from prison. Then he brought the poor woman who helped him to the palace and made her stay there. Then he made her son the prime minister of his kingdom.

Thus, the prince’s fate changed after he started doing Pradosha Vrat. Therefore, everyone should do this vrata and get the grace of Lord Shiva.

Samudra Manthan:

When gods and demons started to churn the ocean of milk to get Amrita (elixir of life), the first thing that appeared from the sea was Halahala (poison). This poison was so deadly that it could destroy all the creation. Therefore, gods and demons requested Lord Shiva to help them. Lord Shiva accepted their request and drank Halahala.

Thus, because of Lord Shiva, the three worlds were saved. Therefore, all gods and demons started praising him. Lord Shiva was very pleased with this and performed the tandava. The day and time this incident occurred were Trayodashi Tithi and Pradosh Kaal. Therefore, it is believed that Lord Shiva is in a perfect mood during this time and blesses whoever worships him during this particular time.

You May Also Like To Read: The Story of Samudra Manthan

Vritrasura:

There are different versions of the story of Vritrasura. He was a valiant demon and had propitiated Lord Shiva with his austerity. Once in a war, the gods found it difficult to defeat him. So, they approached Brihaspati, their guru.

Brihaspati told them that Vritrasura was a king named Chitraratha in his previous life. Once, he was flying over Mount Kailash in his airplane when he saw Goddess Parvati sitting on the lap of Lord Shiva.

Seeing this, he laughed and made fun of them. Goddess Parvati got very angry and cursed him that he would be born a demon. Therefore, he was born Vritrasura.

Brihaspati advised Indra to do the Guru Pradosh Vrat if he wanted to defeat Vritrasura. Therefore, Indra performed the Guru Pradosh Vrat and defeated Vritrasura.

You May Also Like To Read: The Story of Vritrasura.

Lord Shiva Saved the Moon God:

The Moon God (Soma or Chandra) married 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati, but he paid more attention only to Rohini. His other 26 wives complained to Daksha about this. Daksha told Chandra to give equal attention to all his wives, but he did not listen. The infuriated Daksha cursed him that he would fall prey to the wasting disease. The body of Chandra started wasting away immediately, but this was diabolical for the world. Therefore, the gods visited Lord Brahma for a solution, who advised Chandra to worship Lord Shiva as a lingam.

Chandra did penance for six months. Propitiated Lord Shiva appeared there in the form of a Jyotirlinga, blessed Chandra, and reduced his curse (Because Chandra had sinned considerably previously, he did not clear his curse completely). He told him that he would decline day by day in one fortnight and increase steadily in another. To increase the glory of the region and the moon, Lord Shiva stayed there in the form of Someshwara.

Lord Shiva blessed Chandra on the day of Trayodashi during Pradosha Kaal. Therefore, the Pradosha Kaal is considered the best time to worship Lord Shiva.

These were some of the popular Pradosh Vrat Katha (stories) that I am aware of. If you know more stories, please share them in the comment section.