Pradakshina

Also Pradakshinam

Pradakshina (Sanskrit), meaning circumambulation, consists of walking around in a 'circle' as a form of worship in Hindu ceremonies in India. The devotees walk around the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost chamber of the shrine housing the temple deity. It is done around sacred fire (Agni), trees and plants as well. Thus Pradakshina is done around Tulsi plant and Peepal tree. Pradakshina or Parikrama is done in pilgrimage centres also. Parikrama around the Govardhana mount near Mathura (UP) is very famous. This parikrama involves a walk of 26 miles around Govardhana hillock which is related to Shri Krishna's life as a child.

The circumambulation is done usually in a clockwise direction except in the Shiva temples. The clockwise direction is followed since the devotees should have their rightside towards the object of worship. For this, the devotees will have to walk towards their lefthand side from the front of the object of worship. Pradakshina literally means: to the right (Dakshina means right). So in Pradakshina, one goes to the left hand direction to keep the deity on one's right side.

peciality of Pradakshina in SHIVA Temples

In the Shiva temples, the devotees start the Pradakshina as usual from the front and go clockwise till they reach the drainage opening from the Sanctum Sanctorum. The drainage outlet for the ritual ablution offered on the Shiva Linga with water, milk, curd, coconut water, etc. is not to be crossed. So the worshippers have to return in anti-clockwise direction till they reach the other side of the drainage outlet to complete the circle. Thereafter they have to return to the front in the clockwise direction.

hayana Pradakshinam

Shayana Pradakshinam is done in a lying posture. It starts with a Sashtanga Namaskara in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In Sashtanga Namaskara, the devotees have eight parts of their bodies touching the ground. Thus forehead, chest, shoulders, hands and knees touch the ground. The folded hands will be directed always towards the deity. In this pose, the devotees circumambulate on the Pradakshina path. The relatives and friends of the devotees help them to roll around. This is a tedious ritual.

Number of Pradakshinas

For each deity, the minimum number of Pradakshinas to be done are specified.

::*Ganesha: 1::*Shiva: 2::*Vishnu: 3::*Ayyappa: 4::*Subrahmanya (Karthikeya): 5::*Durga: 6::*Peepal Tree: 7

The Swayambhu Agama says that doing Pradakshina 21 times to any deity is sanctified.

*The pathway made of granite stone around the shrine is called the Pradakshina path. [cite web
url=http://www.indoarch.org/arch_glossary.php
title=Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent - glossary
publisher=indoarch.org
accessdate=2007-01-10]

*Pradakshina around the sacred fire is a part of the Hindu marriage ceremony. [cite web
url=http://www.weddingdialogues.com/July_and_August_Custom.html
title=Some reflections on fire in Hindu and other wedding ceremonies, and on Agni Pradakshina, circling the fire
publisher=
accessdate=2007-01-11]

ee also

*Yajna
*Pilgrimage
*Prayer wheel

Notes