Pradosh Vrat September 2026 date 23 or 24, when is Guru Pradosh? Check vrat katha, shubh muhurat and puja vidhi

Pradosh Vrat Kab Hai September 2026 mein: Devotees of Lord Shiva observe fast on Pradosh every month, but there is a confusion where Pradosh Vrat is on September 23 or September 24. According to the Panchang, the Guru Pradosh Vrat will be observed on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The Trayodashi Tithi begins at 10:50 PM on September 23 and ends at 11:18 PM on September 24. Since the Pradosh period falls on September 24, devotees will observe the vrat and perform Shiva Puja that day.

The September 24 observance is called Guru Pradosh or Brihaspati Pradosh because it falls on a Thursday. Pradosh Vrat is observed on Trayodashi, the 13th lunar day, and the main worship is performed around sunset during Pradosh Kaal.

Guru Pradosh Vrat September 2026 date

The second Pradosh Vrat of September will be observed on Thursday, September 24, 2026.


The important timings for Delhi are:

• Guru Pradosh Vrat: September 24, 2026, Thursday
• Paksha: Shukla Paksha
• Tithi: Bhadrapada Shukla Trayodashi
• Trayodashi begins: 10:50 PM on September 23
• Trayodashi ends: 11:18 PM on September 24
• Pradosh Kaal: 6:16 PM to 8:39 PM
• Puja Muhurat: 6:16 PM to 8:39 PM

The exact sunset and Pradosh timings can vary by city, so devotees outside Delhi should check their local Panchang before beginning the evening puja.

September 23 or September 24: When should you keep Pradosh Vrat?

The confusion arises because the Trayodashi Tithi starts late on September 23 at 10:50 PM. However, the Pradosh period associated with this Trayodashi occurs on the evening of September 24.

Therefore, the September Guru Pradosh Vrat is observed on September 24, Thursday. This is also the date listed by Panchang sources for Delhi.

What is Guru Pradosh Vrat?

Pradosh Vrat is a fast dedicated to Lord Shiva and is observed on Trayodashi during both the Shukla and Krishna Paksha. The evening twilight period, known as Pradosh Kaal, is considered the main time for Shiva worship.

When Pradosh falls on Thursday, it is traditionally called Guru Pradosh or Brihaspati Pradosh. Different Pradosh traditions also have separate weekday-specific vrat kathas.

Devotees traditionally observe the fast during the day and perform Shiva Puja in the evening. Depending on family and regional practice, the fast may involve water, fruits or a more restrictive form of fasting.

Guru Pradosh Vrat Katha

There are different traditional Pradosh Vrat Kathas. The Brihaspati Pradosh Katha is associated with Devaguru Brihaspati and the battle between the gods and the demon Vritrasura.

According to the traditional account, a fierce battle took place between Indra and Vritrasura. The gods faced a powerful opponent and sought the guidance of Devaguru Brihaspati. Brihaspati explained the significance of observing Brihaspati Pradosh and worshipping Lord Shiva. The gods then followed the prescribed observance and prayed to Shiva for protection and strength. The story is traditionally recited during Brihaspati Pradosh worship.

Another Pradosh tradition tells the story of a Brahmin woman and her son, whose difficulties were relieved after sincere devotion to Lord Shiva and observance of Pradosh Vrat. Different regions and religious texts preserve different versions of the Pradosh Katha, so the story followed by devotees may vary.

Guru Pradosh Vrat Puja Vidhi

Devotees can follow a simple traditional puja routine at home.

1. Take a bath and make a sankalp

Begin the day with a bath and wear clean clothes. Take a sankalp to observe the Pradosh Vrat with devotion.

2. Observe the fast

Depending on personal health, family tradition and the form of vrat being followed, devotees may observe a complete fast or consume fruits and other permitted vrat foods.

People with health conditions, children, elderly people and those who cannot safely fast should follow appropriate medical or family guidance rather than undertaking a restrictive fast.

3. Clean the puja area

Before the evening worship, clean the place of worship and arrange a Shiva idol or Shivling. Keep water, milk, flowers, Bilva leaves, sandalwood, incense, a diya, fruits and other traditional puja items ready.

4. Perform Shiva Abhishek

During Pradosh Kaal, devotees traditionally perform Abhishek of the Shivling with water. Milk and Panchamrit are also used in many household traditions.

After the Abhishek, offer Bilva leaves, flowers, sandalwood and other customary offerings to Lord Shiva. Water, milk, Bilva leaves, flowers and fruits are among the commonly used offerings in Pradosh worship.

5. Chant Shiva mantras

Devotees can chant “Om Namah Shivaya” during the puja. Shiva Chalisa or other prayers dedicated to Lord Shiva may also be recited according to family tradition.

6. Read the Pradosh Vrat Katha

The relevant Pradosh Vrat Katha can be read or heard during the evening puja. For September's Thursday observance, devotees may read the traditional Brihaspati or Guru Pradosh Katha.

7. Perform Shiva Aarti

Complete the worship with Shiva Aarti and offer prasad. The fast is then concluded according to the devotee's family or regional tradition.

What to offer Lord Shiva on Guru Pradosh?

Common offerings include:

• Water
• Milk
• Bilva leaves
• Flowers
• Fruits
• Sandalwood
• Incense
• Diya
• Panchamrit
• Dhatura, where it is part of the family's traditional worship

Puja customs differ across regions and families. There is no need to use every item listed above for a simple home puja.

Why is Pradosh Kaal important?

The word Pradosh is associated with the evening period around sunset. The central feature of Pradosh Vrat is therefore not just the Trayodashi date but Shiva worship during the Pradosh period.

For September 24 in Delhi, the relevant window is approximately 6:16 PM to 8:39 PM. Devotees in other cities should use local timings because sunset and the corresponding Pradosh window change with location.

Guru Pradosh Vrat September 2026: What devotees should remember

The September 2026 Guru Pradosh Vrat will be observed on September 24, Thursday. Although the Shukla Trayodashi Tithi begins at 10:50 PM on September 23, the Pradosh worship falls on the evening of September 24.

In Delhi, devotees can perform the main Shiva Puja during 6:16 PM to 8:39 PM. They can observe the vrat during the day, perform Shiva Abhishek in the evening, recite the Guru Pradosh Vrat Katha and complete the ritual with Aarti and prasad.

Note: Festival dates and puja timings can vary slightly according to location and Panchang calculation. Devotees should follow the Panchang used in their city or family tradition for local observance.