Nagara Parikrama - A divine experience
Parikrama is an ancient tradition of our country. The Puranic story of Pradakshinam performed by Lord Ganesha & Lord Karthikeya is one of the famous incidents listened by children with awe & interest. Pradakshina Namaskaram forms the important part of daily Pujas of Hindu families.
Additionally, Devalaya Pradakshinam, Giri Pradakshinam, Nadi Pradakshinam & Nagara Pradakshinam is in vogue in our country since centuries. This can be witnessed in ancient cities like Kanchi, Kashi, Govardhan-Mathura, Tiruvannamalai, Parvathamalai, Narmada Parikrama, Kailasha Parikrama etc. His Holiness in his speeches while explaining the importance of Pradakshinam, quotes the Mrtyunjaya Stotram, where Jagadguru Adi Sankara says that by performing Pradakshinam with devotion, in every foot ignorance is removed, auspiciousness is attained and we surrender to the Lord for his divine protection.
पदे पदे सर्वतमोनिकृन्तनं पदे पदे सर्वशुभप्रदायकम्।प्रदक्षिणं भक्तियुतेन चेतसा करोमि मृत्युञ्जय रक्ष रक्ष माम्॥
In this ancient city of Kanchi, which is the only Mokshapuri in Southern India, there are more than 100 Shiva Temples of which several are Padal Petra Sthalangal, ancient Vishnu Temples of Puranic yore and other historic temples. The city is called as Kovil Nagaram. In the Kanchi Puranam we can see the details of all the divine places of Kanchipuram. For common people like us we can state that Pradakshinam to this holy town would indirectly count for Pradakshinam to all the temples.
His Holiness during stay in Kanchi would perform Kanchi Nagara Pradakshinam after Chandramoulishwara Puja on the occasion of Diwali.
The route used to take the entourage to the innermost villages around Kanchipuram. His Holiness would bless prasadams & make kind enquiries to the people who would feel elated at his darshan and arrival on the Deepavali day. In some places where the vehicles could not go, His Holiness would walk and visit the temple and then the Pradakshinam would continue. In some instances, His Holiness would make a detour heeding to the request of the villagers and visit the Shiva/ Perumal temples, sometimes in Keetu Kottai shed. With the blessings & encouragement of Kanchi Math, several such temples are now endowed with Mandapams etc. The route would cover greater Kanchi city region encompassing Kanchi New Railway station, National Highway, Enathur, Vedal, Rajakulam, Vayyavuru, Muthyalpet, Tenambakkam, Orikkai, Kilambi, National Highway, New Railway Station, Raja Veethi and back to Srimatam. In the early years there used to be single road that too rugged. Today this route has become the outer ring road of Kanchipuram town.The Pradakshinam which would begin at around 2 PM would generally conclude at 8 PM. Devotees who visit the Math on Diwali would accompany the entourage.
This nine minute Video shot in 2015 is an illustrative presentation of the occasion.