Twinn Swan

The colour of the day was beige. I don’t usually wear beige. For some reason, it is hardly ever a colour that tickles my fancy. But on some days, we just have to breakout of the mould that we’ve created for ourselves. So I put on a beige Punjabi suit with simple embroidery.

The crowning glory of the attire came through the jewellery, the multicoloured duppata and of course, the bindi. It seems to be such a small detail, wearing a bindi. In my possession, I’ve got an assortment of those stick on bindis that come in a variety of different colours, shapes and sizes. It is a tricky balance: getting it right between the clothing, the makeup and the jewellery.

The prayer of the day was the Pradosham, which is also known as the Pradosh Vrat. It is a bimonthly occasion that takes place on the 13th day of every fortnight of the Hindu calendar. It was my very first time attending the Pradosham.

When I arrived at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, I was surprised to find a small crowd of devotees already gathered around the sanctum of Lord Shiva. Since it was my first time participating in the Pradosham, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Pradosham is a puja that is done for Lord Shiva and his vahana Nandi, the bull. The timing of the Pradosham Puja depends upon the hour on which the sun sets. The prayer begins an hour and a half before the sun sets and continues for an hour and a half after the sun sets.

Devotees who have fasted for the prayer break their fast by consuming the food that has been provided by the temple once the Puja finishes.

On this day, it is remembered that Lord Shiva drank the Halahala poison to save creation. It is believed that Lord Shiva blesses whomever worships him along with his vahana Nandi during the Padosham. The devotee who attends the puja will get their wishes fulfilled.

Since Pradosham translates to ‘the removal of sins’, worshippers believe that this window of opportunity offers the believer the opportunity to destroy the karma and karmic energies that are limiting their potential, thereby allowing them to fulfil the soul mission for which they have incarnated.

It was a beautiful prayer and one that I will always remember.