Pradakshina patha
Also called: Circumambulatory path · Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The pradakshina patha is the path that goes around a sacred object. Devotees walk on it in a clockwise direction as an act of worship. At stupas, it runs between the mound and the stone railing. In temples, it runs around the garbhagriha, the small dark room that holds the main image. It shows that sacred buildings were planned for moving worship, not just for looking.
Example
At the Great Stupa of Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), a paved path lies between the mound and the stone railing. Devotees entered by the eastern gateway and walked along it clockwise.
Don't confuse with
- Pradakshina: the pradakshina patha is the path. Pradakshina is the act of walking around on it.