Panch Kosi Parikrama is a sacred circumambulation or pilgrimage in Varanasi, India, that covers a distance of around 15-20 km. It is believed to be one of the oldest and most revered spiritual practices in the Hindu religion.
The Panch Kosi Parikrama route starts and ends at the Manikarnika Ghat, one of the holiest ghats of the river Ganges in Varanasi. It is said that performing this parikrama helps in attaining spiritual purification and blessings from the deities of the five sacred places covered in the parikrama.
The five places that are covered in the Panch Kosi Parikrama are:
- Kardmeshwar Temple
- Bhimchandi Temple
- Rameshwar Temple
- Shivpur Village
- Kapildhara Temple
During the parikrama, devotees chant hymns, recite mantras, and offer prayers at each of these places. The parikrama is usually performed barefoot, and it takes around 6-7 hours to complete.
It is believed that performing the Panch Kosi Parikrama helps in the fulfillment of wishes, eradication of sins, and attaining spiritual enlightenment. Many devotees undertake this parikrama during special occasions or festivals like Mahashivaratri, Navratri, and Kartik Purnima.
