Correct rules for circumambulating the temple: Know how much circumambulation of which deity is considered very auspicious.

In Sanatan Dharma and Indian culture, going to the temple, performing puja and circling the Lord after darshan is considered very important. According to religious beliefs, worship is considered incomplete without parikrama. By circling the deities in the temple, one not only gets the full results of the worship but also gets mental peace and blessings of God. However, according to the scriptures and astrological rules, the number of parikrama has been determined differently for each deity. If you also go to the temple, then you must know that how many circumambulation of which deity is considered auspicious.

How much circumambulation should be done of which deity?

Special rules have been made for circumambulating and worshiping different Gods and Goddesses in temples. Let us know how much circumambulation of which God should be done:

• Lord Ganesha: After worshiping the first revered Lord Ganesha, it is always considered auspicious to circumambulate 3 times.

• Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati: While circumambulating the Shiva family one should always circumambulate 3 times. However, the complete parikrama of Shivalinga is not done, rather only half (up to Somasutra) parikrama is always completed.

• Lord Vishnu: One should always circumambulate the temple of Lord Vishnu, the creator of the world, or his incarnations four times.

• Troubleshooter Hanuman ji: After seeing Lord Hanuman, circling three times is fruitful.

• Shani Dev, God of Justice: After worshiping Shani Dev, there is a tradition to circumambulate him 7 times.

• Mother Durga: Shakti Swarupa Maa Durga and other goddesses should always be circumambulated 4 times.

• Sacred Trees (Peepal and Banyan): During the worship of Peepal or Banyan tree, circumambulating it with cotton or Kalava 7 times is considered extremely auspicious.

What are the main things to be kept in mind while doing parikrama?

To get the full benefit of Parikrama, it is very important to follow some important rules. Parikrama should always be done in a clockwise direction. After completing one revolution, the cycle ends at the same place from where you start the parikrama. One should never do anti-clockwise circumambulation in the temple. Only by following the rules of religious scriptures correctly, one gets the full results of worship and the blessings of Gods and Goddesses.