{"id":6600,"date":"2020-12-24T16:00:10","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T10:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fluede.online\/janaindica\/?p=6600"},"modified":"2021-01-22T18:17:35","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T12:47:35","slug":"the-concept-of-parikrama-and-its-importance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fluede.online\/janaindica\/the-concept-of-parikrama-and-its-importance\/","title":{"rendered":"THE CONCEPT OF \u201cPARIKRAMA\u201d AND ITS IMPORTANCE"},"content":{"rendered":"

A very important component of Hindu prayer rituals is the \u201cparikrama\u201d \u092a\u0930\u093f\u0915\u094d\u0930\u092e\u093e in order to imbibe the sacred energy of the spiritual center.\u00a0 The term parikrama<\/a> means a path surrounding something. This is essentially circumambulating around the inner sanctum of the temple where the deity resides. Also known as \u201cPradakshina\u201d, meaning \u201cto the right\u201d it is usually done in a clockwise direction for an odd number of times. When one does that, one’s right side is facing the deity inside the \u201cgarbhagraham\u201d or the inner sanctum. It is also known as \u201cgirivalam\u201d which translates as \u201cgiri\u201d meaning mountain and \u201cvalam\u201d which means coming around.<\/p>\n

Apart from a parikrama<\/a> carried around the temple sanctum, it is also done around the sacred fire, a Tulsi plant, and\/or a Peepal tree. It may be conducted around any positive spiritual center, hence being done around sacred lakes and hills too.<\/p>\n

Circumambulation is done to imbibe the energy and values of a sacred center. It is believed that circumambulation helps one align with their inner center by directing the focus of the mind and the movement of the body around a physical center. In this process, one is believed to unburden themselves of worldly affairs and find one\u2019s spiritual center.<\/p>\n

Every point on the circumference of the circle is equal to the center, thereby signifying that no matter the situation, we are equally close to god at all times. It is also a subtle physical reminder to lead a life that is centered around god and righteousness.<\/p>\n

A parikrama is usually done in a set of three. The first is to help you relieve yourself of the material belongings and affairs of the world. The second is to detach one from emotional attachments with family and other humans. The third is to relieve one from the sense of self or ego. Following the parikrama and having found a center, one may be able to connect deeply with the deity.<\/p>\n

After completing prayers, the last pradakshina is made around oneself, thereby recognizing the presence of divinity within oneself. A similarity may be noted herein Sufism where the dervishes perform a whirling dance as a remembrance of god associating the act as an act of imbibing the gods\u2019 energy within.<\/p>\n

Legend has it that Goddess Parvati asked her two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeyan to take a parikrama around the world in order to gain knowledge about the world and imbibe its wisdom. While Kartikeyan took decades to finish his parikrama, Ganesha circumambulated around his mother indicating she was his whole universe.<\/p>\n

Apart from the Sarovar parikrama in Pushkar, which may be done at various distances from the Sarovar at the center, some famous parikramas in India are:<\/p>\n