"Pradakshina" is an act of circumambulating or walking around a sacred object or place. This practice is often performed as an act of devotion, respect, or religious significance. This act is believed to show reverence to the divine and is considered a way of seeking blessings.

Devotees perform pradakshina as a way of showing reverence and respect to the deity or deities housed in the temple. The act involves walking in a clockwise direction around the temple, keeping the sacred structure on the right side.

"Linga Pradakshina" refers to the ritual of circumambulating the Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga is a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity in Hinduism.

At Ramaneswaram, "Sahasralinga pradakshina" is a ritual or practice where devotees perform circumambulation around this sacred site featuring thousand plus lingas and idols. Sahasralinga Pradakshina is created by Siddhaguru Sri Ramanananda Maharshi for devotees and seekers to become receptive to the Grace of Lord Shiva. It may nurture one's desire for ultimate emancipation.

In addition to this physical act, there is a symbolic or inner circumambulation that happens during pradakshina, where devotees experience the alignment of their spiritual selves within, which symbolises the idea of centering their life around the divine and seeking the blessings of the deity pervaded in the hridayam (heart).

Devotees here perform Sahasralinga Pradakshina on special occasions, while volunteers and daily pilgrims do it regularly as part of their routine visits to the temple.

Sahasralinga Pradakshina - Key Points

1. Begin: To perform Sahara Linga Pradakshina, stand infront of the inner arch of the temple with namaskarmudra. Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” and begin pradakshina in clockwise direction. Devotee finally reaching the inner arch again will complete one cycle.
2. Intent and Devotion: While performing pradakshina, devotees may chant prayers, hymns, or mantras expressing their devotion and seeking the grace of Shiva.
3. Number of Cycles: Devotees may perform a specific number of cycles during pradakshina. One can choose to carry out a predetermined number of cycles of pradakshina per year or per month or per day. Pradakshina can be done in a series of 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 times and so on. Regardless of how many times a person has committed to doing the pradakshina in a year or a month or a day, they must ensure that they complete that number of times in that time frame.