parikrama or the custom of holy circum-ambulation finds prominent mention in the purans and other sacred scriptures and that's why a great impetus has been given to parikrama by the Hindu prophets and other towering 'religious personalities from time to time. Though in India there are various sacred centres like Nimlar (Saraswati : 1965), Bithur, Mathura, Hari.parvat (in Srinagar), Girnar hill in JUDagarh, where the Hindu pilgrims go for performing the parikrama, but in Nepal, Janakpur is the only sacred centre where Hindu pilgrims of India and Nepal go for parikrama and attach a great religious importance.
The Mithila Mahatma (ch. III)throws light on the nature and types of parikrama which are undertaken at Janakpur.During these fifteen days of the Madhyam Parikrama, pilgrims are received by the shrine villagers, which fall enroute to parikrama, with great affection and reverence. It has been observed that each paraw village eagerly awaits its tUlO to receive the parikrama pilgrims andptovide all sorts of facilities like fire-wood, milk, sweets, vegetables, rice and other eatables. Some rich people also throw Bhandaras (charity feasts) to the poor pilgrims. When either on Chaturdashi or on Purnima day, the pilgrims arrive at Janakpur, they come in contact with the pilgrims of the Antargrih parikrama and, thu5, on the Purnima day, a more or leis joint circum-ambulation is performed around the sacred city of Janakpur, which is approximately of 8 Kms. On this occasion the pilgrims also give dan to beggars, aud dakshina to Brhamins.
The Laghu parikrama of Janakpur is a most blissful and felicitous experience. The pilgrims move in a procession accompanied by drummers, musicians, kirtan-mandlis etc.
The procession is led by the" Parikrama Bihar Bhagwan which is carried by either the Mahanth of the Rama temple or Janki temple. It has been further reported that some times, ascetic appointed by any of the two Mahanths, after mutual consultation, carries the Parikrama Bhagwan (deity).There are few traditional rules for parikrama through which the pilgrims are guided. These rules are, of course,very liberal and of democratic naturell.
For example, there is no caste restriction on going to the pilgrimage; women are also allowed, but the expectant and nursing mothers are discouraged to undertake parikrama. The menstruating women are aHowed to join the parikrama, but the sexual intercourse during these days is treated as adharma (non-religious). As regards the food, only vegetarian meals are allowed. It is believed by the people that if the holy parikrama of Janakpur is performed once in the life time, the performer wlll not have to come into this world again, and will get moksha (salvation).
It has also been observed that in case of senile and extreme helplessness one can depute some one on his or her behalf to perform theparikrama, because the punya obtained by the parikrama is transferable. However, in return of the punya, the appointer shall have to meet the expenses of the nominee who wm undertake the circum-ambulation.
Finally,the holy circumambulation of Janakpur is performed by the Hindu pilgrims with a belief that it will wash away the sins, they have committed in their life time But in addition to this sacred aspect, the holy circuit of Janakpur "lays opeh a very significant tract in social phenomena which weaves the web of relationships among the sacred and secular folk confederated in ritual interaction" .
The holy circuit of Janakpur, therefore,serves as a nuc1eus for transmission of the great tradition to the Hindu peasants. "It also provides an opportunity to the people of different ethnic and economic groups to unite together for a sacred cause where all stand in parity. Pilgrimage is a sacred act and hence those who go for pilgrimage are all sacred" .
we are told that there are three types of parikrama, which are undertaken at Janakpur and even today these are practised without any alteration. The three types of parikrama are: (i) Brihad (big) parikarma, (ii) Madhyam (middle) parikrama and (Hi) Laghu (small parikrama. For undertaking parikramas, it has also been recorded that there are three months viz. Kartik (OctoberNovember), Phalgun (February-March) and Vaisakh (AprilMay) when the pilgrims should undertake parikrama at Janakpur. However, presently the parikrama undertaken in the month of Phalgun is very popular. .
Among the three parikramas, tbe Brihad parikrama is not meant for the householders, for it takes about one year and, thus, mainly the ascetics undertake tbe Brlhad parikrama. It is of 268 kms. round.
The Mithila Mahatma (ch. III)throws light on the nature and types of parikrama which are undertaken at Janakpur.During these fifteen days of the Madhyam Parikrama, pilgrims are received by the shrine villagers, which fall enroute to parikrama, with great affection and reverence. It has been observed that each paraw village eagerly awaits its tUlO to receive the parikrama pilgrims andptovide all sorts of facilities like fire-wood, milk, sweets, vegetables, rice and other eatables. Some rich people also throw Bhandaras (charity feasts) to the poor pilgrims. When either on Chaturdashi or on Purnima day, the pilgrims arrive at Janakpur, they come in contact with the pilgrims of the Antargrih parikrama and, thu5, on the Purnima day, a more or leis joint circum-ambulation is performed around the sacred city of Janakpur, which is approximately of 8 Kms. On this occasion the pilgrims also give dan to beggars, aud dakshina to Brhamins.
The Laghu parikrama of Janakpur is a most blissful and felicitous experience. The pilgrims move in a procession accompanied by drummers, musicians, kirtan-mandlis etc.
The procession is led by the" Parikrama Bihar Bhagwan which is carried by either the Mahanth of the Rama temple or Janki temple. It has been further reported that some times, ascetic appointed by any of the two Mahanths, after mutual consultation, carries the Parikrama Bhagwan (deity).There are few traditional rules for parikrama through which the pilgrims are guided. These rules are, of course,very liberal and of democratic naturell.
For example, there is no caste restriction on going to the pilgrimage; women are also allowed, but the expectant and nursing mothers are discouraged to undertake parikrama. The menstruating women are aHowed to join the parikrama, but the sexual intercourse during these days is treated as adharma (non-religious). As regards the food, only vegetarian meals are allowed. It is believed by the people that if the holy parikrama of Janakpur is performed once in the life time, the performer wlll not have to come into this world again, and will get moksha (salvation).
It has also been observed that in case of senile and extreme helplessness one can depute some one on his or her behalf to perform theparikrama, because the punya obtained by the parikrama is transferable. However, in return of the punya, the appointer shall have to meet the expenses of the nominee who wm undertake the circum-ambulation.
Finally,the holy circumambulation of Janakpur is performed by the Hindu pilgrims with a belief that it will wash away the sins, they have committed in their life time But in addition to this sacred aspect, the holy circuit of Janakpur "lays opeh a very significant tract in social phenomena which weaves the web of relationships among the sacred and secular folk confederated in ritual interaction" .
The holy circuit of Janakpur, therefore,serves as a nuc1eus for transmission of the great tradition to the Hindu peasants. "It also provides an opportunity to the people of different ethnic and economic groups to unite together for a sacred cause where all stand in parity. Pilgrimage is a sacred act and hence those who go for pilgrimage are all sacred" .
we are told that there are three types of parikrama, which are undertaken at Janakpur and even today these are practised without any alteration. The three types of parikrama are: (i) Brihad (big) parikarma, (ii) Madhyam (middle) parikrama and (Hi) Laghu (small parikrama. For undertaking parikramas, it has also been recorded that there are three months viz. Kartik (OctoberNovember), Phalgun (February-March) and Vaisakh (AprilMay) when the pilgrims should undertake parikrama at Janakpur. However, presently the parikrama undertaken in the month of Phalgun is very popular. .
Among the three parikramas, tbe Brihad parikrama is not meant for the householders, for it takes about one year and, thus, mainly the ascetics undertake tbe Brlhad parikrama. It is of 268 kms. round.
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