Pradosh Vrat means "twilight vow" in Sanskrit.
The thirteenth day of each lunar fortnight is a religious
observance observed mostly by women, usually for the birth of children or to
maintain the overall wellbeing of the family.
The vow (vrat) is devoted to the deity Shiva, and the most
significant phase occurs on the thirteenth day's nightfall (the term pradosh
means "twi light"), when believers present Shiva with sixteen
customary offerings (upacharas), after which they may eat their sole meal of
the day.
Some followers remain up all night in order for the
observance to end on the fourteenth day of the month, a lunar day associated
with Shiva.
This ritual is said to be most effective when the thirteenth
day comes on a Monday (connected with Shiva), Saturday (related with Saturn),
or Sunday (affiliated with the Sun).
