This article is about the religious practice. For the band, seeParikrama (band).
Buddhist monks performing Pradakshina ritual atBorobudur, Central Java, Indonesia
Parikrama orPradakshina is clockwisecircumambulation of sacred entities, and the path along which this is performed, as practiced in theIndic religions –Hinduism,Buddhism,Sikhism andJainism.[1][2][3][4][5] In Buddhism, it refers only to the path along which this is performed.[3] In Indic religions, the parikrama is typically done after completion of traditional worship (puja) and afterpaying homage to the deity. Parikrama must be done withdhyāna (spiritual contemplation and meditation).
Clockwise parikrama inside a temple (red).Parikrama at the temple.
In Hinduism, parikrama of religious deities in a temple, sacred rivers, sacred hills and a close cluster of temples as a symbol of prayer is an integral part ofHindu worship.[3][6][7]Hindu temple architecture include various Pradakshina paths.[8] There could a parikrama path surrounding the chief deity and several other broader paths concentric to the main path, although it is not uncommon to find non-concentric parikrama paths. At times the outermost parikrama path covers the whole village, town, city, thereby implying that the length of the path can stretch.[6][9]Parikrama is also done around the sacredPeepal tree,tulsi (Indian basil plant), andagni (sacred fire or the fire God),[10][11] and agni parikrama, known asMangal phera, is a part of theHindu wedding ceremony.
In Sikhism, the term is used in an architectural manner to refer to a circumambulatory terrace around asarovar (temple-tank), such as the one found in theGolden Temple complex inAmritsar.[12]
Parikrama means "the path surrounding something" inSanskrit, and is also known asPradakshina ("to the right"), representingcircumambulation.[3] Both words are mostly used in the context of religious practice of circumambulation of sacred entities.[3][6][7]
Parikrama is defined as"Circumbulatory or pathway around the shrine of the temples by keeping time is a common form of prayer in India. It includes Narmada, Shetrunjaya, Girnar. This pathway made of stone around the shrine is called Pradakshina path."[8]
Buddhistmonks and devotees circumambulating astupa.Pradakhshina round a stupa in China.
In Buddhism circumambulation or pradakhshina has been an important ritual since early times. Sacred structures such asstupa or images have a pradakhshina path around them. Thechaitya is a distinct ancient type of building that only survives inIndian rock-cut architecture, a hall with a stupa at the far end, always built with a roundedapse-like end, to allow pradakhshina.[13] A mandapa (prayer hall), added in the front transforms the original stupa into the stupa shrine — as a sacred entity which requires a circumambulatory path around it for the purpose of worship. The whole structure is planned in such a way that it becomes the centre of the mandala and symbolically representsMount Meru.[14]
Buddhist faithful may perform pradakhshina byprostrating themselves at every step, thus greatly prolonging the process. The most extreme pradakhshina is that of the sacredMount Kailash inTibet, amountain trek some 52 km (32 mi) long, at altitudes between 15,000 ft (4,600 m) and 18,200 ft (5,500 m). This may also be undertaken by Hindus and Jains, and some pilgrims progress by prostration, taking some weeks.[citation needed]
The temple structure reflects the symbolism of the Hindu association of the spiritual transition from daily life to spiritual perfection as a journey through stages. Parikrama paths are present through which worshipers move in a clockwise direction, starting at the sanctuary doorway and moving inward toward theinner sanctum where the deity is enshrined. This represents translation of the spiritual concept of transition through levels in life into bodily movements by the worshipers as they move inwardly through ambulatory halls to the most sacred centre of spiritual energy of the deity.[15]
Shayana Pradakshinam is done byprostration in a lying posture. It starts with a Sashtanga Namaskara in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In Sashtanga Namaskara, the devotees have six parts of their bodies touching the ground. Thus forehead, chest, stomach, hands, knees and toes 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.
InShiva temples, the devotees start the Pradakshina as usual from the front and go clockwise until they reach thegomukhi (the outlet forabhisheka water) from the Sanctum Sanctorum. As usual the clockwise perambulation is maintained outside of the Bali stones. The drainage outlet for the ritual ablution offered on the Shiva Linga with water, milk, curd, coconut water, ghee, ashes (bhasma) etc. is not to be crossed. So the worshippers have to return in anti-clockwise direction until they reach the other side of the drainage outlet to complete the circle. During this anti-clockwise perambulation, the devotee should tread a path inside of the Bali stones. The Bali stones are always to be kept the right side of the devotees. After reaching the drainage outlet, they have to return to the front in the clockwise direction keeping the path outside the Bali stones. Thus one Pradakshina is completed.
A legend related to goddessParvati (Shiva's wife) and her two sons illustrates the importance of Pradakshina or Parikrama. It is said that the goddess asked her two sons to circumambulate the universe to gain worldly knowledge. While her first sonKartikeyan spent decades to go round the world on his peacock, her second sonGanesha walked a full circle around his mother and justified his action by stating that the World was contained within the figure of the mother. This legend justifies the importance that Hindus attach to the practice of Parikrama, and also the importance of motherhood in Hindu psychology. Another version of the same story replaces the figure of Parvati with Shiva himself.[10]
Like Parikrama in Hinduism, Muslims perform circumambulation aroundKaaba during theirHajj which they calltawaf.[16] The circumambulation during Hajj is done in a counterclockwise manner.[17] In contrast, Hindu, Buddhist as well as Jain traditions circumambulate a shrine or sacred site clockwise.[1][2] The only exception is during paying last respects to a dead body during a cremation or event marking a funeral, where the traditional circumambulation in Indian religions is counter-clockwise.[2]
In the temple city ofAyodhya inUttar Pradesh state of India, there are following 5 Parikramas all of which commence by bathing in the holySarayu River first and by performingsankalpa ritual of moral oath and the pilgrimage ends at the same place at the Sarayu by releasing this sankalpa oath. Parikramas connect thethree-tier Hindu cosmology, namely the outer-most macro (Mandala), the middle-one meso (Kshetra), and micro (Puri thegarbhagriha inner sanctum), via the shrines en route. Parikramas, each forming an irregular circular loop, are listed in the order of increasing length from the innermost to the outermost:[18]
Antargrihi Parikrama (Sanctum Sanctorum Circumambulation): of the inner sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Mandir - the birthplace of Lord Rama.[18]
Ramkot ki Parikrama (Rama Birthplace Temple Circumambulation): around the Rama Birthplace temple complex.[18]
Ayodhya Panchakoshi Parikrama (5Kos Circumambulation) - nearly 15 km: cover 30 most sacred places related to the birthplace of Lord Rama which can be completed within six hours,[18] through traditionally it is performed over a two-day period. Over two hundred thousand devotees including around 50 thousandsadhus fromPrayag (Allahabad),Haridwar,Mathura andKashi (Varanasi) participate in the parikrama, and full security arrangements are made for the religious occasion.[19]
Ayodhya Chaudahakoshi Parikrama (14 Kos Circumambulation) - nearly 42 km: from birthplace (Ramakot) to death-place (Guptar Ghat) linking 36 sacred places related to the life experience of Lord Rama.[18]
Ayodhya Chaurasikoshi Parikrama (84 Kos Circumambulation) - over 275 km: the oldest and the longest route linked with 148 sacred places and 84 lakh (8.4 million)yonis.[18] The circumambulation path has been notified as the National HighwayNH-227B, upgraded at the cost of INR3,350 crore to the 45-meter wide, 4-lane, paved-shoulder with flood lights and pilgrim facilities along the way passing through 5 districts ofAyodhya,Ambedkar Nagar,Barabanki,Basti,Gonda connecting temples,tirthas,ashrams,kundas,ghats, etc.[20]
Govardhan Temple starting point of Govardhan Parikrama.Krishna lifting theGovardhana hill.Parikrama byISKCON devotees.
Braj or Vraj area has several parikramas:
Braj Chaurasi Kos Parikrama (84 Kos Yatra), 252 km long: most extensive parikrama in the Braj covering 12 forests (vanas), 24 gardens, 20 kunds (ponds), and villages like Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul, and Baldeo, along with Mathura and Vrindavan cities and takes several days to complete.[21][22][23] Since 500 yearsVraja Mandala Parikrama has been performed during October–November months. It is 84 Krosh long, taking 1–2 months depending on the route and speed visits twelve forests, known as vans, and twenty-four groves, known as upavans. The twelve forests areMadhuvan, Talavan, Kumudvan, Bahulavan, Kamavan, Khadiravan, Vrindavan, Bhadravan, Bhandiravan, Belvan, Lohavan, and Mahavan. The twenty-four groves are Gokul, Govardhan, Barsana, Nandagram, Sanket, Paramadra, Aring, Sessai, Mat, Uchagram, Kelvan, Sri Kund, Gandharvavan, Parsoli, Bilchhu, Bacchavan, Adibadri, Karahla, Ajnokh, Pisaya,Kokilavan, Dadhigram, Kotvan, and Raval.
Mathura Parikrama (circumambulation of Mathura city), 15 km: covers sacred sites like Vishram Ghat, Kankali Devi Temple, Bhuteshwar Mahadev, Rangeshwar Mahadev, and Saraswati Kund.[24]
Vrindavan Parikrama (circumambulation of Vrindavan city), 10–15 km: connects many temples, ghats, and sacred spots associated with Radha and Krishna's pastimes, such as Banke Bihari Mandir, Madan Mohan Mandir, Keshi Ghat, and Imli Tala.[25][26] Vrindavan Parikrama is a spiritual walk undertaken by devotees aroundVrindavan town in Uttar Pradesh. It has no particular start or end place. As long as you end at the same place you start, the purpose is served. One possible path is to start from the famous ISKCON temple, covers a distance of 10 km (6.2 mi)in about three hours. It is generally done on Ekadasi (eleventh lunar day of thewaxing andwaning ofMoon). The route followed is from Keshi ghat with purification, walk close to theKrishnaBalarama Temple, the Krishna-Balarama tree, Gautam Rishi's Ashrama (located on the left while on the right isVaraha Ghata), the Kaliya Ghata, Madana Mohana Temple with red sandstone tower, small wooden bridge, to Imli Tala, the Imli Tala tree, Sringara Vata (on the right), the Kesi Ghat (one of the famous Monuments in Vrindavan), the Tekari Rani temple, the Jagannatha temple and the small temple of LordChaitanya Mahaprabhu and in the final stretch cross the Mathura-Vrindavan road. After crossing this road, after another 1 km walking, reach the starting point of the Parikrama. During the Parikrama, one chants the mantras (Jap) within, uses body power (Tap) to accomplish the Parikrama and keeps a fast (not eat anything) (Vrata) until the Parikrama is completed.[27]
Govardhan Parikrama (circumambulation of Govardhan town and hill), 21 km (7 kos): commemorates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the residents of Braj fromIndra's wrath. There's also a shorter "Chhoti 3-kosi Parikrama" of about 7–9 km.[28][29]Govardhan hill which has great religious significance in view of its association withLord Krishna, presently at its highest point is just 25-metre (82 ft) high and is a wide hill nearMathuraVrindavan inUttar Pradesh,India. It is a narrow sandstone hill known as Giriraj which is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) in length.[30] After Krishna protected the inhabitants of Vraj Vridavan from the wrath ofIndra, he counseled them to worshipGovardhana hill and they did by way of a Puja (worship) and a Parikrama (circumambulation) around the hill.Thus, a festival in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan, nearMathura, byKrishna came into vogue as 'Govardhan Puja' when Mount Govardhan is worshipped, the day afterDeepawali (festival of lights) is celebrated. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook 56 (or 108) different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food to God) to Krishna. This ceremony is called 'ankut' or 'annakuta' which means a mountain of food. Various types of food – cereals, pulses, fruit, vegetables, chutneys, pickles, and salads – are offered to the Deity and then distributed as 'prasada' to devotees. Thousands of devotees bring offerings for Giriraj. Followed by this pooja, the devotees perform the Govardhana Parikrama.[30] Govardana Parikrama [circumambulation — going 21 kilometres (13 mi) around the hill] is a sacred ritual performed by many believers as spiritual purification. There is no time limit for performing this Parikrama, but for those who perform the dandavata (full prostration) Parikrama, an arduous form which may take weeks and sometimes even months to complete. Dandavata Parikrama is performed by standing in one spot, offering obeisances like a stick (danda) by lying flat on the ground and then continuing, contiguously, until the entire route is covered. It is also said that some sadhus (Hindu holy men) perform 108 obeisances in one spot before moving to the next. This can take a number of months to complete.[30] This ritual of Parikrama is considered to be even better if it is done with milk. A clay pot filled with milk, with a hole at the bottom, is carried by the devotees in one hand and a pot filled with dhoop (incense smoke) in another. An escort continuously fills up the pot with milk until the parikrama is completed. Parikrama is also done with candy being handed out to children, en route.[31] The divine tree 'Kalpavriksha' planted by GreenMan Vijaypal Baghel at each Kunda of this parikrma route, not only Kalpavriksha, he is planting with dedication much more others traditional & medicinal flora's species around holy Govardhan hill likely 'Tridev Vriksha', paras peepal, Rudraksha, Kadmba, pakad, vat vriksha etc. who have spiritual and religious values to make Green Parikrma. Parikrama of Govardhana hill starts at the Manasi-Ganga Kund (lake) and then after having darsan of Lord Harideva, from Radha-kunda village, where the Vrindavan road meets the parikrama path. After parikrama of 21 kilometres, covering important tanks, shilas and shrines such as Radha Kunda, Syama Kunda, Dan Ghati, Mukharavinda, Rinamochana Kunda, Kusuma Sarovara and Punchari, it ends at Mansi Ganga Kund only.[30]
Barsana Parikrama (circumambulation of Barsana), 2 kosi (7 km) and 1 kosi (4 km): birthplace of Radha Rani, includes Brahmachal Parvat, Sankari Khor, Radha Rani Temple, Priya Kund, Dangarh, Mangarh, and Vilasgarh.[24][32] Barsana Parikrama is a spiritual walk undertaken by devotees aroundBarsana village of Shrimati Radha Rani in Uttar Pradesh. It has no particular start or end place. As long as you end at the same place you start, the purpose is served. One possible path is to start from the famous Rangili Gali where people gather for world famous Lathmar Holi, covers a distance of 5 km (3.1 mi)in about one hour. It is generally done on Ekadasi (eleventh lunar day of thewaxing andwaning ofMoon). The route followed is from Sankari Khor with purification, walk close to theRadha Rani Temple, Ghavar Kund or Shri Radha Sarovar, Ghavar Van (located on the left while on the right is way to Ghavar Kund & Shri Ghavar Van Bihari Ji Temple, Maan Mandir on a height, Mor Kutir, Shri Daan Bihari, Shri Kushal Bihari Ji Temple or Jaipur Temple & the most famous temple of Shri Ladlilaal Temple from where our starting point i.e. Ragili Gali is near. During the Parikrama, one chants the mantras (Jap or Hymns ) within, uses body power (Tap) to accomplish the Parikrama and keeps a fast (not eat anything) (Vrata) until the Parikrama is completed.[27]
Nandgaon Parikrama (circumambulation of Nandgaon village area): village where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, includes Yashoda Kund, Moti Kund, Lalita Kund, Mor Kund, Charan Pahadi, Pawan Sarovar, and the Nand Mandir.[33]
Gokul Parikrama (circumambulation of Gokul village area), 10 km: covers sacred sites connected to Krishna's early life, such as Bajrang Ghat, Putna Kund, Harihar Tila, Ramanreti, Shrikund, Gop Talai, Kamal Kund, Thakurani Ghat, and Yashoda Ghat.[33]
Baldeo Parikrama (circumambulation of Baldeo village), 2 kosi (5 km): the place associated with Lord Balarama, Krishna's elder brother, covers Ksheer Sagar and the Dauji Temple.[24]
Kokilavan Parikrama (circumambulation of Kokilavan forest): known for its temple.[34]
Lili Parikrama or Girnar Parikrama is a seven-day festival held at MountGirnar inJunagadh district ofGujarat, India. The pilgrimage involves a climb of 10,000 steps to reach the top to the sacred Mount Girnar venerated by both Hindus andJains. The Jains call it MountGirnar. Devotees from all over the country participate in the festival. Of the seven peaks of Girnar, five are important viz., Ambamata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, lord Neminatha Tonk or Guru Dattatreya as known by Hindus and Kalika. Bhavnath Shiv temple, Bhartruchari cave, Sorath Mahal, Bhim Kund and Shiv Kund. Devotees visit these sacred places during the parikarama.[39]
The importance of theNarmada River as sacred is testified by the fact that the pilgrims perform a holy pilgrimage of a Parikrama orCircumambulation of the river. The Narmada Parikrama, as it is called, is considered to be a meritorious act that a pilgrim can undertake. Manysadhus (saints) and pilgrims walk on foot from theArabian Sea atBharuch inGujarat, along the river, to the source in Maikal Mountains (Amarkantak hills) inMadhya Pradesh and back along the opposite bank of the river. It is a 2,600-kilometre (1,600 mi) walk.[40] The Parikrama is also performed along the southern bank from its source (Amarkantak hills) to the mouth (Bharuch) and returning along the northern bank, and it is considered to be of the highest religious efficacy.[41]
During the Narmada Parikrama, devotees have to pass through a place called Shulpaneshwar ki Jhari, a religious place in Gujarat with links dating back to theMahabharata epic story. The legend says that thePandavas returning victorious fromKurukshetra war were intercepted at Shulpaneswar byEklavya and his group of tribalBhils and looted them (Pandvaas) of all their belongings. Since then it is a custom that pilgrims on a Narmada Parikrama, while passing through this place, expect to be stripped of all their belongings leaving them with the bare essentials to carry on until some philanthropists give them donations on the way to carry on. With construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat on theNarmada River, the Shulpaneshwar Temple has submerged under the reservoir, necessitating the pilgrims to take a circuitous route to continue on their journey.[42]
