Parikrama or Pradakshina is an age-old practice that even little kids are taught to do whenever in a temple. But, not many know how many Parikramas should be done around each deity and that there is a different count for each one of them. Doing Parikramas or circumambulations as some people call it, is a way to express devotion and reverence towards the divine. Doing Parikrama around a deity is believed to invoke blessings, purify one's soul, and deepen their connection with the divine presence. Doing a Parikrama is a symbol of telling God that they are at the center of our life and the Parikrama is a form of devotion.

Here we mention how many times one should perform Parikrama around different Gods.

Shiva: Half.

Lord Ganesha and Hanuman : 3.

Maa Durga: 1.

Lord Vishnu and his incarnations: 4.

Lord Sun: 7.

Peepal Tree: 7.

Yajna: 5, 11, or 108.

Kartikeya: 6.

Swami Ayyappa: 5.

Circumambulation is not just a part of Hinduism, but many other religions also practice it.

1. Tawaf is a ritual in Islam in which Muslims walk around the Kaaba in Mecca during the Hajj and Umrah.

2. Buddhists go around stupa chanting mantra to show devotion. They believe it reduces negative Karma and purifies the mind.

3. Jains and Sikhs also follow the same practice.

Mantra to Chant While Doing Pradakshina:

यानि कानि च पापानि जन्मांतर कृतानि च।

तानि सवार्णि नश्यन्तु प्रदक्षिणे पदे-पदे।।

Meaning: Oh God! Whatever sins I have committed all my lives (including previous lives), please destroy them with every step of Pradakshina.

Rules of Parikrama:

1. It should be done in a clockwise direction only.

2. Do not talk to anyone while doing it.

3. Complete a full round. Do not stop in between.

4. If possible, chant a mantra of the deity you are circumambulating or the one mentioned below.

5. Do not wear any footwear.