Parikrama

Parikrama, from Sanskrit, generally means circumambulation or walking around a sacred object, site, or deity in a clockwise direction. It is a ritual practice found in Hinduism and Buddhism, and sometimes in Jain traditions as well. The act is performed as an expression of reverence, purification, and merit accumulation, with different communities prescribing various forms and routes.

In Hindu worship, devotees often perform pradakshina around temples, sanctums, or sacred hills along a designated pathway. The number of circumambulations can vary, with common multiples including one, three, seven, or 21 and 24, or even 108 in some contexts. The practice can be undertaken individually or in groups, during festivals, pilgrimages, or personal devotion. A well-known example is the Kailash Parikrama, a circumnavigation around Mount Kailash in Tibet, covering roughly 52 kilometers and regarded as sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.

In Buddhism and Jainism, circumambulation is also a common devotional activity, typically revolving around stupas, pagodas, or images of the Buddha or tirthankaras. Practitioners often use prayer, recitation, or meditation during the walk, as a means of cultivating mindfulness and merit.

In contemporary culture, Parikrama is also the name of an Indian rock band formed in 1991. The group is recognized as one of India’s oldest rock ensembles, noted for blending Indian classical music influences with Western rock and for international performances.