Circumambulation is otherwise known as “Pradhakshina” in Sanskrit. In general it refers to the act of someone walking in clockwise manner around the sanctum (Garbhagriha) in a truly devotional way. It also means walking around clockwise circle around holy mountains such as Kailash Parvat, Thiruvannamalai and so on. It is also done around a deity of a temple in a procession and a Guru as a mark of worship and reverence. The word clearly indicates that it has to be performed to the right side (” dhakshina”) of the devotee who faces east. It is often believed to help the devotee to absorb positive energy of the holy space .

Prakaram is the word usually mentioned to the space around the sanctum. While small temples have a single prakaram, big temples have as many as seven prakarams. Temples of Madurai, Thiruvidaimarudur, Thiruvanaikaval, SriRangam etc have many prakarams. The significance of walking around the prakaram is mentioned in the sthala puranam and scriptures of the respective temple. The devotee is expected to walk silently by carrying the divine thoughts in his mind. He can also breathe the fresh air with pure fragrance emitted by the herbs and shrubs that are present in the prakaram. Hence the walk around the prakaram helps to keep the body and the mind healthy and relaxed.

The pathways of the prakarams are provided with granite stones in big temples but those present in rural areas are neglected due to paucity of funds. Rain helps for the growth of bushes in the uncovered areas of the prakaram and makes it impossible for the devotees to make circumambulation around the sanctum. Presence of ununiformed surface too adds agony to this problem. It therefore demands for the provision of pathways. Since laying it with granite stones will be a costly affair, bricks or paver blocks can be considered as alternative materials to lay the floor.

During a visit to the Shiva temple at Killikudi, some 6 km off Aduthurai a year ago, it was found that the pathway in the prakaram was an absolute necessity. The foundation came forward to lay the path around the sanctum by using paver block stones. Very soon the villagers took initiatives to renovate and consecrate the temple.

The foundation played a major role in reconstructing the dilapidated temple of Garbapureeswara swami at Karupur, about 3 km from Killikudi and consecrated ten years ago. The unfinished job of laying a pathway around the prakaram gave scope for the presence of thorns and bushes after a few years. It was therefore prioritized to lay the floor around the sanctum with paver block stones. Prior to that the entire surface was made uniform to enable the visitors to circumambulate easily.