Astalakshmi Vilakku

Pradosham is highly auspicious and a very important day for the devotees of Lord Shiva. While Pradosh marks the thirteenth day (Trayodashi) of the lunar month, there are two Pradosh in a month one during the waxing phase (Shuklapaksh) and the other during the waning phase (Krishna Paksh)

The Hindu God Shiva was originally known as Rudra, a minor deity addressed only three times in the Rig Veda. Shiva is known as “The Destroyer” within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity which also includes Brahma and Vishnu. In the Shaivite tradition, Shiva is the Supreme Lord who creates, protects and transforms the universe.

Shiva is known by many names such as Viswanatha (lord of the universe), Mahadeva, Mahandeo, Mahasu, Mahesha, Maheshvara, Shankara, Shambhu, Rudra, Hara, Trilochana, Devendra (chief of the gods), Neelakanta, Subhankara, Trilokinatha (lord of the three realms), and Ghrneshwar (lord of compassion).