pradakshina

Pradakshina, from Sanskrit pradakṣiṇā, is a ritual practice of circumambulating a sacred object, shrine, or place. It is most commonly performed in Hinduism but is also observed in Jainism and Buddhism, and is related to the broader concept of parikrama. The act emphasizes reverence and devotion, and the number of circumferences may vary by tradition and circumstance.

In Hindu temples, devotees walk clockwise around the sanctum or around the temple complex along a prescribed pradakṣiṇā path, typically starting at a designated point and keeping the right side toward the deity. The circumambulation is usually performed barefoot, with chanting, prayers, and sometimes offerings at designated spots around the circuit. The practice is intended to honor the divine presence and to focus the mind on spiritual aims.

Pradakshina is understood to express surrender to the divine, honor the sacred center, and symbolize the cyclical nature of creation. The rightward, clockwise direction is deemed auspicious in many traditions, and the act is often considered a form of purification and merit accumulation.

Besides temple circumambulation, the term is used for parikrama around sacred mountains or pilgrimage sites, and in Jain and Buddhist contexts for circumambulation around tirthankara images or stupas. Kailash Parikrama and similar pilgrim circuits exemplify this broader practice of moving in rounds around a sacred focus.

Practices vary by temple and tradition. Observers typically maintain modest dress, remove footwear, and conduct the walk in a respectful, often quiet manner; some traditions restrict speaking or certain activities during pradakshina.