Shiva as Vishweshwara, lord of Kashi, worshipped on the Pradosh of Bhishma Panchak

Vishweshwara Vrat is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vishweshwara (Vishwanath), 'lord of the universe', the presiding deity of Kashi and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is observed on Kartika Shukla Trayodashi, which coincides with the Pradosh Vrat and falls on the third day of Bhishma Panchak, before Vaikuntha Chaturdashi and Kartika Purnima. Kashi is called Avimukta, the place Shiva never leaves, and it is believed that Vishweshwara grants liberation to all who die there by whispering the Taraka mantra in their ear. The vrat is kept for purification of sins, protection, and spiritual progress. In Varanasi the Kashi Vishwanath temple holds a grand abhishekam and night-long bhajans, and devotees across India worship Shiva at dusk in Pradosh Kaal. Coming in the last holy days of Kartika — a month sacred to both Vishnu and Shiva — it prepares the devotee for the next day's Hari-Hara worship of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, when Vishnu himself worships Vishweshwara in Kashi.

Fast through the day and eat after the Pradosh puja.