Worshipping the Lord in the evening times, during sunset, is called Pradosha. This is the time that the holy cows return home from grazing and is considered to be very auspicious. It is called ‘Go-dhooli Lagna’. It is also said that Goddess Lakshmi visits home at this time.

Lord Shiva is primarily worshipped during this Puja. There are many stories for the significance. The benefits of chanting, performing meditation and Japa at this time are many.

During the Brahmi Muhurtam (early morning 4.30 to 6), all Gods, including Lord Brahma, bless the individuals practicing the prescribed austerities. One must wake up before sunrise. If they do so, they are blessed with longevity, good health, prosperity and Guru’s grace.

If one wakes up beyond 6:15 AM, they are haunted by poverty, forgetfulness, laziness, fights, lack of peace of mind and ill-health. One must get up before 5:45 AM at the maximum. There is no forgiveness for those who wake up beyond this time. Good things do not happen to them because they wake up after sunrise.

Getting up at 5:00 AM is the best. It is incorrect for us to wake up after sunrise. It is a flaw, a sin. One that removes this dosha (flaw/sin) is Pradosha.

The easiest way to observe Pradosha is to have Guru Darshana at this auspicious time. Just coming to the temple, being in the holy precincts, gives us the benefit of having observed Pradosha Puja. One must be in the temple within 6:30 PM in the evening. If one practices this, they are blessed with a long married life and auspiciousness not just in this birth, but also in future births. You get noble progeny. Since Jayalakshmi Mata observed this puja, Sri Swamiji was born to Her.

(Q&A Session, 7 May 2017)