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Why do we circumambulate in temples?

In Vedic science everything is done in accordance to the universal pattern. In the Universe, we observe that from the smallest subatomic particle to the gigantic universe everything is in motion.

There are two kinds of motions.

1. Self-spinning/ rotating on own axis.
   
2. 2.Circumambulation- which is going around a fixed point.

 For example,

1. The electrons in an atom is self-spinning and goes around the Nucleus.

2. Moon has its own axis of rotation  and also spins around the Earth.

3.The Earth self rotates and also around the Sun.

4. The Sun self rotates and also around the Milky way.

5. Galaxy also is self-spinning and spins around the Universe. Even the universe is self-rotating.

This universal pattern from the micro electron level to macro universe level has been reflected in the Vedic temples while doing circumambulation.  So we do self-rotations called Swayam pradakshinam or Atma pradakshinam since we are doing it to our own Consciousness and hence is called Atma pradakshinam.Then we have the temple deity which represents the Consciousness and so we go around it. So that is the reason why we circumambulate in the temples, this is called as pradhakshina. .

 Since this is Vedic Science, it is not seen in other religious practices.

When we circumambulate we should have the five levels of understanding behind the act of circumambulation.

 1. Physical Benefit:  Most of the ancient Indian temples are very huge. Early morning when we go for circumambulation around the temple, it easily takes 45 minutes to 1 hour in big temples and even in small temple it takes around an hour when we make three rounds around the deity. So there is physical benefit of walking (exercise) in the process of circumambulation.

2. Emotional benefit: At emotional level, when we circumambulate everyday there is an emotional attachment (understanding)  that everything we do is revolved around the God or Consciousness. giving us inner strength. There is an emotional understand

 3. Intelligence benefit: At Intelligence level, we understand that from small micro particle to the complex/macro universe everything undergoes this pattern.

4. Awareness Benefit: At Awareness level, we get that awareness that the Self that we rotate outside the temple (or Idol) is also inside of us. This connection deepens over time and it increases our self-awareness.

5. Consciousness: Finally, at conscious level, we understand that all the actions is for the Consciousness, by the Cosnciousness without   any selfish interest but with global interest.

There are various types of circumambulations

1. Casual pradakshinam, where we circumambulate in normal way of walking.

2. Adi pradakshinam, where each foot is measured and walked i.e. without missing even an inch of space between each foot. Here the tip of the toe of one foot touches the ankle of the other foot. This is to strengthen the awareness while doing the physical action of circumambulating.

3.Sayana pradakshina, which is actually doing the rotation of the Self-awareness and God Awareness (the temple) both at the same time. Here the devotees roll their body on the floor and rotate their own body and also rotate around the temple or the center of the consciousness. This is very powerful because it does exactly the way everything rotates in the universe i.e. rotating around itself and also rotating around the center of the Consciousness.

 These circumambulations bring more Self-awareness and with that awareness one should circumambulate. In our Uni 5 classes we connect the students to the Science subject as well as to the rituals we do. At that connection level the Self-rotation itself is a symbolism of self-reflection. So the awareness will increase when we have more self-reflection rotating around ourselves and rotating around the consciousness/ Temple. That itself is reflection or contemplation.

We will have evolutionary inner growth when we have the self-reflecting attitude. We will start looking our self and every other thing outside as our own inner reflection. Whatever is happening outside we understand that it is our own inner reflection. Instead of finding faults with others we understand that, that particular limitation is also within our self. That self-reflection, self-contemplation is the way we could increase the awareness and that is the very essence of doing circumambulations in the Temples.

 In summary, to circumambulate the temple is to increase self-awareness and self-reflective nature. The more we develop self-reflective nature the more we turn inward, reflect, change and stop finding fault with others and seeing external source as a cause for a problem. Here a natural inner growth occurs which is the very purpose of Circumambulating around the temples.

Other Links

http://bharathkidilse.blogspot.com/2009/10/pradakshina-circumambulate.html

 http://theancientindia.blogspot.com/2012/09/pradakshina-in-temple.html

http://www.mantrikyantras.org/Article_temple.html

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Parent Category: Vedic Questions

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We will give the Uni5 answer soon

Other good sources

https://gpraveenkumar.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/abc-on-why-to-visit-temples-scientific-reason/