Girivalam - Religious Circumambulation

When the time acts tough, we can look upon the people around for peace. But sometimes, we have to be self supportive in order to find the way out of the din.

For me, it was a religious path and heard about Girivalam which many believers carry-out for attaining peaceful state of mind.

In the Tamil language, the process of going around mountain, is called 'giri valam' (giri = mountain and valam = right side), inferring that one should keep the Hill to the right when circumambulating.
At most holy places located on hills, the Deity is found at the top. But here at Tiruvannamalai, the hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and one of the ways in which it is propitiated and worshipped is by its circumambulation. In Sanskrit this going around the Hill is called 'giripradakshina' (giri = mountain and pradakshina: Prada = giver of boons; Kshi = destroyer of Karma; Na = giver of Jnana. Also, Pra-Dakshina = going around with center kept to the right).

It almost took 4 hours for me to walk around the hill bottom which has circumference of around 14 kms. The path was full of fellow believers who had come for seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. Through out the path the only thing to be carried is goodness within us and a sense of forgiveness.

The trip taken to Tiruvannamalai on auspicious pournami night was truly pacifying resulting in enhancement of inner life. 

Om Namah Siva!!!!