AstrologgerPradosh Vrat in May 2028
When is Pradosh Vrat in May 2028? Two this month: Saturday, 6 May — tithi 6 May 8:49 AM to 7 May 6:06 AM; and Sunday, 21 May — tithi 21 May 1:20 PM to 22 May 2:02 PM (New Delhi).
| Date | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends | Pradosh puja (window) | Name | Day | Paksha / Month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 May 2028UPCOMING | 6 May, 8:49 AM | 7 May, 6:06 AM | 6 May, 7:00 PM – 6 May, 9:07 PM | Shani Pradosh | Sat | Shukla · Vaishakha |
| 21 May 2028 | 21 May, 1:20 PM | 22 May, 2:02 PM | 21 May, 7:09 PM – 21 May, 9:13 PM | Ravi Pradosh | Sun | Krishna · Jyeshtha |
All dates & times computed for New Delhi (IST) with the Swiss Ephemeris + Lahiri ayanamsa — not copied.
Pradosh Vrat timings in May 2028
When each tithi begins, when it ends, and how long it actually runs — computed for Delhi (IST).
| Date | Tithi begins | Tithi ends | Duration | Day | Paksha | Lunar month (purnimanta) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 May | 6 May, 8:49 AM | 7 May, 6:06 AM | 21 hours 17 minutes | Saturday | Shukla | Vaishakha |
| 21 May | 21 May, 1:20 PM | 22 May, 2:02 PM | 24 hours 42 minutes | Sunday | Krishna | Jyeshtha |
Each Pradosh Vrat this month
Shani Pradosh — Saturday 6 May, in the Shukla paksha of Vaishakha (purnimanta). The tithi runs 21 hours 17 minutes, from 6 May 8:49 AM. Pradosh kaal: 6 May, 7:00 PM – 6 May, 9:07 PM.
Ravi Pradosh — Sunday 21 May, in the Krishna paksha of Jyeshtha (purnimanta). The tithi runs 24 hours 42 minutes, from 21 May 1:20 PM. Pradosh kaal: 21 May, 7:09 PM – 21 May, 9:13 PM.
How May compares
Across 2028, a Pradosh Vrat tithi averages 23 hours 22 minutes. In May it averages 22 hours 60 minutes — shorter than the year's average.
Over the year the figure ranges from 22 hours 53 minutes in June to 24 hours 25 minutes in September. The spread exists because the Moon does not move at a constant rate, so a tithi is not a fixed length — which is why the vrat date shifts against the English calendar from month to month.
There are 25 Pradosh Vrat in 2028, of which 2 fall in May.
Every other vrat in May 2028
The other observances falling in the same month, in calendar order.
| Vrat | Dates | Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Masik Durgashtami | 2 May — Masik Durgashtami (Vaishakha) · 31 May — Masik Durgashtami (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Ekadashi | 5 May — Mohini Ekadashi · 20 May — Apara Ekadashi | View |
| Purnima | 8 May — Buddha Purnima | View |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | 11 May — Ekadanta Sankashti | View |
| Kalashtami | 16 May — Kalashtami (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Masik Shivratri | 22 May — Masik Shivratri (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Masik Karthigai | 23 May — Masik Karthigai (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Amavasya | 24 May — Jyeshtha Amavasya | View |
| Vinayaka Chaturthi | 27 May — Vinayaka Chaturthi (Jyeshtha) | View |
| Skanda Sashti | 29 May — Skanda Sashti (Jyeshtha) | View |
What is Pradosh Vrat?
Pradosh Vrat (also written Pradosham) is a Shaivite fast kept on the Trayodashi — the thirteenth tithi — of both the waxing (Shukla) and waning (Krishna) fortnight, which is why it recurs about twice every lunar month. The word "pradosh" means the twilight junction of day and night, and the vrat honours Lord Shiva and Parvati at exactly that hour. Tradition holds that Shiva danced his cosmic Tandava between the horns of Nandi during pradosh kaal, so the dusk of Trayodashi is regarded as the most receptive window of the fortnight for Shiva worship. It is one of the most widely kept monthly vratas in the Shaiva calendar, valued for its simplicity — no elaborate materials are needed, only devotion at the right hour.
Pradosh Kaal — the puja timing that matters
The entire vrat turns on the pradosh kaal, the roughly two-and-a-quarter to two-and-a-half hour window that opens at sunset and runs for about 2 hours 24 minutes after it. Shiva puja performed inside this window carries the merit of the vrat; the daytime fast is preparatory. Because the window is anchored to local sunset it shifts by city and by season — later in summer, earlier in winter — which is why the table above gives the pradosh-kaal start for each date computed for New Delhi rather than one fixed time. For another city, take your local sunset and count the same window forward from it.
The seven weekday types of Pradosh Vrat
A Pradosh takes an extra name from the weekday it falls on, and each carries a traditional prayer: Ravi Pradosh (Sunday) for health and long life; Som Pradosh (Monday) for the fulfilment of wishes and marital harmony; Bhaum Pradosh (Tuesday) for freedom from debt and good health; Saumya or Budh Pradosh (Wednesday) for knowledge and success; Guru Pradosh (Thursday) for protection from enemies and obstacles; Bhrigu or Shukra Pradosh (Friday) for prosperity and married life; and Shani Pradosh (Saturday), the most sought after, for relief from the difficulties of Saturn. These associations are traditional beliefs held across regional practice, not guarantees of outcome.
How to observe Pradosh Vrat (vrat vidhi)
The customary practice is to rise early, resolve to keep the fast (sankalp), and pass the day in restraint and remembrance of Shiva. Devotees bathe again in the late afternoon before pradosh kaal begins, and perform the puja at dusk — bathing the Shivling with water, milk and then water again, offering bilva (bel) leaves, white flowers, dhatura, sandalwood and a ghee lamp, and reciting the Pradosh Vrat katha or the "Om Namah Shivaya" and Maha Mrityunjaya mantras. The fast is broken after the evening worship. Forms vary widely by family and region — some keep a waterless (nirjala) fast, others take fruit and milk — and the tradition places the merit in sincerity, not severity.
Significance and who keeps it
Pradosh Vrat is kept by those seeking Shiva's grace for health, relief from hardship, marital and family well-being, and steadiness of mind. Because it returns every fortnight, many observe it as a regular spiritual discipline rather than a one-off, and married couples often keep it together. As with every vrat on this site, the timings are astronomical facts computed from the panchang; the spiritual benefits described are drawn from tradition and scripture, offered for context rather than as promises.
Pradosh Vrat Katha
As the traditional katha tells, in a certain city there lived a poor Brahmin widow who, together with her young son, went out each day begging for alms. One day she found an injured young prince, Dharmagupta, the son of the late king of Vidarbha whose kingdom had been seized; moved with compassion, she raised him alongside her own son. Guided by the sage Shandilya, the widow began keeping the Pradosh Vrat, worshipping Lord Shiva at pradosh kaal with steadfast devotion. By Shiva's grace the prince met and married the vidyadhara princess Anshumati, gathered an army, regained his lost kingdom of Vidarbha, and lovingly cared for the widow and her son. The katha is retold to show how sincere Pradosh worship of Shiva relieves hardship and restores lost fortune.
Pradosh Puja Samagri
Gather these traditional offerings before beginning the Pradosh Vrat worship of Lord Shiva:
- Bilva (bel) leaves
- Gangajal or clean water
- Raw milk
- Curd
- Honey
- Ghee
- White flowers
- Dhatura
- Sandalwood paste
- Akshat (unbroken rice)
- A ghee or oil lamp
- Incense (dhoop)
- Fruits
- Panchamrit
Frequently asked questions
When is Pradosh Vrat in May 2028?+
May 2028 has two Pradosh Vrat dates: Shani Pradosh — Saturday, 6 May 2028; Ravi Pradosh — Sunday, 21 May 2028. Timings are computed for New Delhi.
What is the Pradosh Vrat tithi time in May 2028?+
6 May: tithi 6 May 8:49 AM to 7 May 6:06 AM. Pradosh kaal: 6 May, 7:00 PM – 6 May, 9:07 PM. 21 May: tithi 21 May 1:20 PM to 22 May 2:02 PM. Pradosh kaal: 21 May, 7:09 PM – 21 May, 9:13 PM. (New Delhi, IST)
How many Pradosh Vrat are in 2028?+
There are 25 Pradosh Vrat in 2028 for the Delhi region — usually two per lunar month, one in each paksha.
What is pradosh kaal?+
Pradosh kaal is the roughly two-and-a-half-hour period around sunset (from sunset until about 2h24m later) when Shiva worship is performed on Trayodashi. Each date shows its pradosh kaal window.
Why is Shani Pradosh special?+
A Pradosh falling on Saturday (Shani Pradosh) is considered especially powerful for relief from Saturn-related difficulties; Som Pradosh (Monday) is favoured for wishes and marriage.
How is Pradosh Vrat observed?+
Devotees traditionally fast through the day, bathe before dusk, and perform Shiva puja during pradosh kaal — offering water, bilva (bel) leaves and a lamp, and reciting the Pradosh Vrat katha. Practice varies by family; the merit is said to lie in devotion, not strictness.
Can you eat during Pradosh Vrat?+
Many keep a nirjala or waterless fast until the evening puja and break it afterwards; others take fruit and milk through the day. It is a personal choice — the puja is done in the pradosh kaal shown for each date.
Which Pradosh is the most powerful?+
By tradition each weekday's Pradosh has its own benefit — Som (Mon) for wishes, Bhaum (Tue) for health and debt, Shani (Sat) for Saturn relief, Guru (Thu) for protection. These are traditional beliefs, not guarantees.
Ask our AI astrologer — free — about the vrat, favourable timing and remedies, grounded in your own birth chart.