While on Shiva Temple, we does not walk full clockwise around the temple, why? What is the reason behind it?
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I live in Bhubaneshwar ---which has a large number of Shiva Temples --the biggest of which is the Lingaraj Temple. I have not come across such restrictions. Probably these restrictions depend on local beliefs .– b.sahuCommented Apr 29, 2015 at 8:39
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Related question Does pradakshina direction differ with each stage of life (ashrama)?– SarvabhoumaCommented Oct 4, 2018 at 6:59
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Same question here: hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/14849/…– RickrossCommented May 5, 2019 at 15:25
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2 Answers
Well, I have heard something like this :-
There is always an outlet (opening for letting out the "Theerth") on one side of the platform or room where the deity is embarked.
Have you ever noticed that it points to the North (If located in India) ? That means logically it is an opening or passage to Mount Kailas (in the northest part of India).
It is believed that "BhoothGana" come and go out frequently to visit the Lord, using this passage. So it is supposed that we block their path when we walk in a full circle.
This is why we just turn back when we reach this outlet.
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4Welcome to Hinduism.SE! You should cite sources. Commented Apr 23, 2015 at 16:13
While on Shiva Temple, we does not walk full clockwise around the temple, why? What is the reason behind it?
The Gandharva-Tantra has instructions of walking around Shiva (Shiva-Pradakshina).Lord Shiva says:
dakshinAd vayavim gatvA tasmAd vyAvritya dakshinam/gatvA yo'sau namaskarah so'rdhochandro mama priyah//(Ahnik-kritya, Shyamacharan Kaviratna Vidyavaridhi, Vol.1,page 19).
Meaning : My favourite is that prostration which is done with walking from the south by going to the 'vayu-kone' and again walking back to south along a half-moon (half-circular) path.
The pinaka or 'pranala' that carries 'Tirtha' is on the northern side. One must not cross that. The Devi-Purana says
savyam vrajet tato'savyam pranAlam naiva langhyaet (Ibid.page 19).
The Devi-Purana also advises to do such 'Pradakshina' thrice with a mind focused on Rudra/Shiva, doing which ine is freed from workdliness and is not born again:
ekibhutamanA rudre yah kuryAt trih pradakshinam/chhinnas tena bhava-granthir na tasya punar udbhavah//(Ibid.mpage 19).
