Parikrama (circumambulation) or Pradakshina is a ritual in Hinduism and some other religions in which a person circumambulates around a person or a thing in a clockwise direction. It is done around idols, temples, trees/plants, rivers, mountains, persons, and other objects.
Meaning of the Words Parikrama and Pradakshina:
‘Pari’ in Sanskrit means ‘around,’ and ‘Krama’ means ‘going’. Therefore, the word Parikrama means going around.
Pradakshina comprises two words, viz. ‘Pra’ and ‘Dakshina (right), which means ‘to the right’.
Significance of Parikrama:
Hindus believe that every sacred object in the universe contains divine energy. Although this energy is mainly concentrated in that object, it extends to a certain distance. Therefore, if a person goes around that object, he/she comes in contact with that sacred energy, which is very helpful, both spiritually and physically. It removes/lessens negativity from that person.
Benefits of Parikrama:
1. Removes negative energy.
2. It is a good exercise, especially if you do many rounds.
3. The god that the person circumambulates gets pleased and blesses the person.
Types of Pradakshina:
1. Atma Pradakshina: Going around self. It is mainly performed after daily worship or during prayer.
2. Pada Pradakshina: This is the most common type of Parikrama. Pada means foot. A person needs to walk on foot around the object.
3. Danda Pradakshina: Danda means a stick. It consists of a mixture of walking and prostration. The person needs to take a step and then prostrate (lie flat on the ground like a stick with hands in Namaste position in front of the head). Then get up and repeat the above steps. In this way, the person has to complete all the rounds around the object. It is a little bit harder to do.
4. Anga Pradakshina: Anga means body. In this type, the person needs to prostrate as mentioned above, and roll around the object. It is one of the hardest types of Parikrama.
5. Adi Pradakshinam: It is the same as Pada Pradakshina, but steps are taken very close, immediately next to previous footsteps without any gap between them.
Why Should we do Parikrama in a Clockwise Direction?
1. In Hinduism, the right side is considered auspicious and the left inauspicious. Hindus do not accept Prasadam in the left hand or do not touch sacred objects with it.
2. While circumambulating, some people touch the walls of the temple with their fingers and put the fingers back on their forehead to show respect to the deity. It is easier to do if you keep the object on your right-hand side.
How Many Parikramas of Each God?
The number of Parikramas varies with the deity. Also, there are contradictions about how many rounds one should go around a deity. In general, it is believed that one should do an odd number of circumambulations of a goddess and even numbers of a god. The Swayambhu Agama says that doing Pradakshina 21 times to any deity is sanctified.
There is a Sanskrit shloka that advises how many parikramas should be done around Hindu gods, but the source of it is not known.
एका चंड्या रवे: सप्त, तिर्स्त्र: कार्या विनायके:।
हरेश्चतस्त्र: कर्तव्या:, शिवस्यार्ध प्रदक्षिणा ।।
Eka Chandaya Raveh Sapta Tirstra Karya Vinayake||
Hareschatarstrah Kartabyah Shivasya ardha Pradkshina||
Meaning: A devotee should perform one circumambulation for a goddess, seven for the Sun, three for Lord Ganesha, four for Lord Vishnu and his incarnations, and a half for Lord Shiva.
1. Shiva: Half.
2. Ganesha: 3.
3. Hanuman: 3.
4. Durga: 1.
5. Lord Vishnu and his incarnations: 4.
6. Sun: 7.
7. Peepal Tree: 7.
8. Yajna: 5, 11, or 108.
9. Kartikeya: 6.
10. Ayyappa: 5.
Agni Parikrama:
The circumambulation around the fire is one of the most important rituals in a Hindu marriage. The bride and groom circumambulate the fire in a clockwise direction for 7, 3, or 4 times. The ritual is called Agniparinayana or Managal Phera.
Parikrama Around Plants and/or Trees:
1. Vat Pournima is a Hindu festival mainly observed by a married Hindu woman for the longevity of her husband. On the day of the festival, Hindu women circumambulate a banyan tree clockwise and wind a white thread around it while doing so.
2. Peepal is one of the sacred trees in Hinduism. Circumambulating a Peepal tree on certain days is believed to bring good luck.
3. Most of the Hindus have Tulsi Vrindavan in front of their houses. The ladies of the house worship her daily and circumambulate her. Tulsi is an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. Therefore, circumambulating a Tulsi plant pleases the goddess.
Mannat:
Some people pledge to do certain things or give something in return to a deity if their certain wishes are fulfilled. This is called mannat. Some of them, pledge to do a certain number of Parikrama in exchange for the fulfillment of their wishes.
Parikrama of a Dead Body:
Circumambulating a dead body is an integral part of the last rites in Hinduism. The person performing the last rites holds an earthen pot filled with water on his shoulder. Then a small hole is made in the pot, and the person circumambulates the dead body in an anti-clockwise direction once starting from the feet of the dead. After that, the second hole is made in the pot, and the person completes the second round. Then a third hole is made and the person completes the third and the final round. After this, the person breaks the pot by dropping it backward on the ground.
Why do Hindus do Half Parikrama of a Shiva Lingam?
All the Shiva lingams have an outlet called Nirmili to carry out the water/milk poured over the lingam. Hindus believe that the things we offer to gods become sacred and should not be crossed over or trampled. It is considered an insult to that deity and is malefic to the person who does so.
Therefore, one should not do a complete Parikrama of a Shiva lingam.
Also Read: https://www.hinduismfacts.org/why-do-hindus-do-half-pradakshina-of-a-shiva-lingam/
Why is Lord Ganesha worshipped First of all Gods?
Once Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva were discussing which god was suitable for being Prathampujya (to be worshipped first), but they could not agree. So they announced a competition. Anyone who would go around the world three times in a minimum time would be declared Prathampujya.
All the gods set off immediately, but Lord Ganesha was very slow because his vahana was a mouse. He knew that he would never be able to win the race on a mouse. So he thought of a solution. He made Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati sit together at a place and went around them three times in a clockwise direction. When asked about this, Lord Ganesha explained that parents are like a world to a child. Hence going around them is like going around the world.
The trinity and Goddess Parvati were impressed by Lord Ganesha’s intelligence and devotion towards his parents and declared him Prathampujya.
Parikrama in Other Religions:
Circumambulation is not just a part of Hinduism, but many other religions also practice it.
1. Tawaf is a ritual in Islam in which Muslims walk around the Kaaba in Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah.
2. Buddhists go around stupa chanting mantras to show devotion. They believe it reduces negative Karma and purifies the mind.
3. Jains and Sikhs also follow the same practice.
Pilgrimages:
There are many Hindu pilgrimages associated with Parikrama.
2. Kardalivan Parikrama.
3. Govardhan Hill Parikrama.
4. Girnar Mountain Pradakshina.
5. Kurukshetra Parikrama.
6. Vraja Mandala Pradakshina.
7. Vrindavan Parikrama.
8. Char Dham Parikrama.
Rules of Parikrama:
1. It should be done in a clockwise direction only.
2. Do not talk to anyone while doing it.
3. Complete a full round. Do not stop in between.
4. If possible, chant a mantra of the deity you are circumambulating or the one mentioned below.
5. Do not wear any footwear.
6. Do not hurry.
7. Try to concentrate on the deity. Don’t let mundane thoughts disturb you.
8. If possible, wear wet clothes. It is believed to be more beneficial.
Mantra to Chant While Doing Pradakshina:
यानि कानि च पापानि जन्मांतर कृतानि च।
तानि सवार्णि नश्यन्तु प्रदक्षिणे पदे-पदे।।
“Yaani kaani cha paapaani Janmaantara krutaani cha, Taani sarvani nashyantu
Pradakshine pade pade.”
Meaning: Oh God! Whatever sins I have committed all my lives (including previous lives), please destroy them with every step of Pradakshina.
Superstitions Related to Parikrama:
In some parts of India, there is a superstition that one should not circumambulate a living person because it decreases that person’s lifespan. If someone does so unknowingly, then that person needs to do the same number of rounds in an anticlockwise direction to nullify the ill effects.