pradakshina
Clockwise temple walk
Pradakshina is the Hindu and Buddhist practice of walking clockwise around a sacred object, shrine, or person as an act of reverence.
The circled object—a temple, altar, fire, or holy person—remains on the worshipper's right side throughout.
The ritual appears in wedding ceremonies, temple visits, and pilgrimages: Devotees perform pradakshina around the sanctum three times.
Ritually encircling sacred object
- parikramaRitual circling of sacred sites
- clockwiseRightward circular motion
- templeSacred worship structure
- sanctumProtected private place
deity · worship · devotion · reverence · darshan · blessing · sacred · pilgrimage
Designated route for travel
- corridorEnclosed connecting walkway
- ambulatoryAble to walk
- passagewayEnclosed route between spaces
- sanctumProtected private place
enclosure · courtyard · temple · pavement · stone · marble · walkway · boundary
Locomotion on foot
- circlingMoving around a center
- orbitCurved celestial path
- encirclingForming a boundary around
- rotationTurning on an axis
perambulation · rounds · laps · path · corridor · ambulatory · passage · direction
Deserved praise-worthiness
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
mindfulness · meditation · focus · intention · prayer · mantra · blessing · grace
circumambulation
Ritually encircling sacred object
- parikramaRitual circling of sacred sites
- clockwiseRightward circular motion
- templeSacred worship structure
sanctum · deity · worship · devotion · reverence · darshan · blessing · sacred · pilgrimage · shrine
pathway
Designated route for travel
- corridorEnclosed connecting walkway
- ambulatoryAble to walk
- passagewayEnclosed route between spaces
sanctum · enclosure · courtyard · temple · pavement · stone · marble · walkway · boundary · precinct
walking
Locomotion on foot
- circlingMoving around a center
- orbitCurved celestial path
- encirclingForming a boundary around
rotation · perambulation · rounds · laps · path · corridor · ambulatory · passage · direction · sunwise
merit
Deserved praise-worthiness
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
surrender · mindfulness · meditation · focus · intention · prayer · mantra · blessing · grace · liberation
pradakshinaturning one's back
desecration · walking away · sacrilege · avoidance · disregard