Pt Sri Pranesh Achar (Ananda Rangan)
Pooja
Tataḥ saparivārāya Viṣṇave caturadhikāḥ pradakṣiṇāḥ, pañcādhikān namaskārānśca kuryāt.”
This means that one should perform more than four pradakshinas and more than five namaskaras.
From this, it is clear that pradakshinas should not be fewer than four. Some people perform three pradakshinas, but this should not be done. One should perform four or more pradakshinas, and more than five namaskaras.
When performing more than four pradakshinas, the final count should be an even number. For example, one should not do five pradakshinas. Instead, numbers like six, twelve, twenty-four, forty-eight, or one hundred and eight are appropriate—ending in an even number.
In some temples, there are specific local traditions. For example, in some places, five pradakshinas and ten namaskaras are prescribed. At Vadiraja Matha, seven pradakshinas are followed as a service practice. At the Chakrapani Temple in Kumbakonam, thirteen pradakshinas are prescribed.
In such cases, the temple’s own tradition and service rules must be followed.
