Pradosham is one of the most powerful times to worship Lord Shiva, and at Tiruvannamalai’s Arunachaleswarar Temple the evening abhishekam to Nandi draws thousands of devotees twice a month. This guide lists every Pradosham date in 2027, explains the timings, and shares practical tips for attending Pradosham at Tiruvannamalai.
What Is Pradosham?
Pradosham (Pradosha Vratam) falls on the Trayodashi, the 13th lunar day, of both the waxing (Shukla) and waning (Krishna) fortnights. The worship takes place during Pradosha Kalam, the auspicious twilight window of roughly 1.5 hours before and after sunset, which in Tiruvannamalai is approximately 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
According to the Puranas, when the gods and asuras churned the ocean of milk, the deadly Halahala poison emerged. Lord Shiva swallowed it to save the world, and Goddess Parvati held his throat so that it stayed there, turning it blue. Shiva then danced between the horns of Nandi at twilight on Trayodashi. Pradosham commemorates that moment, which is why Nandi is worshipped first.
Pradosham Dates 2027 (Full List)
The table shows the date Pradosham is observed (the day Trayodashi prevails during the evening Pradosha Kalam), with the full tithi window in IST calculated for Tiruvannamalai.
| Date | Day | Paksha | Trayodashi Tithi Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 January 2027 | Tuesday | Krishna | Mon, 4 Jan 2027, 6:16 PM to Tue, 5 Jan 2027, 8:40 PM |
| 20 January 2027 | Wednesday | Shukla | Wed, 20 Jan 2027, 4:41 AM to Thu, 21 Jan 2027, 1:11 AM |
| 3 February 2027 | Wednesday | Krishna | Wed, 3 Feb 2027, 1:51 PM to Thu, 4 Feb 2027, 4:32 PM |
| 18 February 2027 | Thursday | Shukla | Thu, 18 Feb 2027, 2:27 PM to Fri, 19 Feb 2027, 11:14 AM |
| 5 March 2027 | Friday | Krishna | Fri, 5 Mar 2027, 9:54 AM to Sat, 6 Mar 2027, 12:04 PM |
| 20 March 2027 | Saturday (Shani Pradosham) | Shukla | Fri, 19 Mar 2027, 11:17 PM to Sat, 20 Mar 2027, 8:45 PM |
| 4 April 2027 | Sunday | Krishna | Sun, 4 Apr 2027, 4:27 AM to Mon, 5 Apr 2027, 5:24 AM |
| 18 April 2027 | Sunday | Shukla | Sun, 18 Apr 2027, 7:42 AM to Mon, 19 Apr 2027, 6:08 AM |
| 4 May 2027 | Tuesday | Krishna | Mon, 3 May 2027, 8:04 PM to Tue, 4 May 2027, 7:31 PM |
| 17 May 2027 | Monday (Soma Pradosham) | Shukla | Mon, 17 May 2027, 4:28 PM to Tue, 18 May 2027, 4:04 PM |
| 2 June 2027 | Wednesday | Krishna | Wed, 2 Jun 2027, 8:29 AM to Thu, 3 Jun 2027, 6:35 AM |
| 16 June 2027 | Wednesday | Shukla | Wed, 16 Jun 2027, 2:31 AM to Thu, 17 Jun 2027, 3:20 AM |
| 1 July 2027 | Thursday | Krishna | Thu, 1 Jul 2027, 6:15 PM to Fri, 2 Jul 2027, 3:23 PM |
| 15 July 2027 | Thursday | Shukla | Thu, 15 Jul 2027, 2:41 PM to Fri, 16 Jul 2027, 4:36 PM |
| 31 July 2027 | Saturday (Shani Pradosham) | Krishna | Sat, 31 Jul 2027, 2:18 AM to Sat, 31 Jul 2027, 10:58 PM |
| 14 August 2027 | Saturday (Shani Pradosham) | Shukla | Sat, 14 Aug 2027, 5:22 AM to Sun, 15 Aug 2027, 7:55 AM |
| 29 August 2027 | Sunday | Krishna | Sun, 29 Aug 2027, 9:36 AM to Mon, 30 Aug 2027, 6:13 AM |
| 13 September 2027 | Monday (Soma Pradosham) | Shukla | Sun, 12 Sep 2027, 10:13 PM to Tue, 14 Sep 2027, 12:40 AM |
| 27 September 2027 | Monday (Soma Pradosham) | Krishna | Mon, 27 Sep 2027, 4:55 PM to Tue, 28 Sep 2027, 1:55 PM |
| 12 October 2027 | Tuesday | Shukla | Tue, 12 Oct 2027, 4:14 PM to Wed, 13 Oct 2027, 5:48 PM |
| 27 October 2027 | Wednesday | Krishna | Wed, 27 Oct 2027, 1:04 AM to Wed, 27 Oct 2027, 10:50 PM |
| 11 November 2027 | Thursday | Shukla | Thu, 11 Nov 2027, 10:07 AM to Fri, 12 Nov 2027, 10:21 AM |
| 25 November 2027 | Thursday | Krishna | Thu, 25 Nov 2027, 10:51 AM to Fri, 26 Nov 2027, 9:48 AM |
| 11 December 2027 | Saturday (Shani Pradosham) | Shukla | Sat, 11 Dec 2027, 2:54 AM to Sun, 12 Dec 2027, 1:43 AM |
| 25 December 2027 | Saturday (Shani Pradosham) | Krishna | Fri, 24 Dec 2027, 11:09 PM to Sat, 25 Dec 2027, 11:32 PM |
Pradosham falling on a Saturday (Shani Pradosham) is considered especially auspicious and draws the largest crowds. In 2027 there are 5 Shani Pradoshams: 20 March, 31 July, 14 August, 11 December, 25 December. Pradosham on a Monday is called Soma Pradosham and is also highly regarded.
Pradosham at Arunachaleswarar Temple: What Happens
- Around 4:00 PM: devotees begin gathering near the big Nandi in the temple’s inner courtyards. Arrive early for a good spot.
- Around 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM: the abhishekam to Nandi is performed with milk, curd, honey, tender coconut water, sandalwood paste, vibhuti and other offerings, followed by alankaram (decoration).
- Deeparadhana: after the alankaram, the arati is shown to Nandi and then to the main deity, Lord Arunachaleswarar.
- Procession: on many Pradoshams the utsava murti of Shiva and Parvati on the Rishabha (bull) vahanam is taken around the inner prakaram.
Exact timings vary with the season and are set by the temple. For daily schedules, see our Arunachaleswarar Temple pooja timings and temple darshan timings guides.
How to Observe Pradosha Vratam
- Fasting: many devotees fast from sunrise and break the fast after Pradosham worship in the evening. Some take only fruit and milk.
- Offerings: milk, bilva (vilvam) leaves, flowers and sweet pongal are traditional offerings for Nandi and Shiva.
- Chanting: the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”, the Rudram, or Shiva stotrams.
- Circumambulation: in Tiruvannamalai, many devotees combine Pradosham with Girivalam, walking around Arunachala hill after the temple worship.
Tips for Attending Pradosham in Tiruvannamalai
- Arrive by 3:30 PM on Shani Pradosham. The Nandi mandapam fills quickly.
- Dress traditionally. Follow the temple dress code: dhoti or formal wear for men, saree or churidar for women.
- Special darshan: paid darshan queues are also busy on Pradosham. Read about the special darshan ticket and online booking.
- Footwear and phones: use the footwear counters outside the gopurams. Photography inside the sanctum is not allowed.
- Stay overnight if you are combining Pradosham with an early-morning darshan. See our hotels guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pradoshams are there in 2027?
There are 25 Pradosham days in 2027, two in most months (one in each lunar fortnight).
What time is Pradosham worship?
Pradosha Kalam is roughly 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM in Tiruvannamalai. The Nandi abhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple usually takes place between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM.
Which Pradosham is the most important?
Shani Pradosham (falling on Saturday) is considered the most powerful, followed by Soma Pradosham (Monday). Maha Pradosham in the month of Maasi around Maha Shivaratri is also special.
Can I do Girivalam on Pradosham?
Yes. Pradosham is a popular day for Girivalam, especially in the evening after the Nandi abhishekam. See our Girivalam rules and procedure and the Girivalam dates 2027 calendar for Pournami walks.
Conclusion
Save this list of Pradosham dates 2027 and plan your visits to Arunachaleswarar Temple around the evening Nandi abhishekam. Arrive early, dress traditionally and combine your visit with Girivalam for a deeply fulfilling day in Tiruvannamalai.
Related guides: Maha Shivaratri 2027
