Panchakosi Parikrama: Significance and History

 Panch Koshi Parikrama is the most significant festival for women in India. Panch Koshi means five destination each at distance of one kosh. Those places are Kardmeshwar, Shivpur, Rameshwar , Bhimchandi and Kapildhara.

A "kos" or "kosh" is an ancient Indian unit of measurement for distance.It is often cited as being around 1.8 km , according to some sources like Quora. Other sources estimate it at approximately 3.22 km , while some say it was originally one-fourth of a yojana.The length could vary by region and time period.

On the sacred occasion of Devuthani Ekadashi, thousands of devotees gathered in Ayodhya Dham to perform the traditional Panchkosi Parikrama, a 15-kilometre-long spiritual walk encircling the holy city.

Varanasi: The procession of Panch Koshi Parikrama starts from the Manikarnika Ghat at Varanasi as well as ends at the same ghat . Women in Varanasi wake up very early in the morning and start their parikrama after taking a holy bath in the sacred water of river Ganges at the Manikarnika Ghat. They wear new clothes while taking parikrama of the five places. They do not eat anything while taking parikrama. They eat only after they complete their parikrama. It is done in Hindi month of Sawan i.e. as per English calendar it comes in mid of July till mid of Aug every year.

The Panchkosi Parikrama in Ayodhya and Varanasi are distinct religious circumambulations with differences in duration, route, timing, and primary deity of worship. 

Ayodhya:

Primary deity: Lord Rama

Distance: Approximately 15 KMs (5 kosh)

Timing: Held on the day of Devuthani Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November).

Route: A single-day circular route around the inner circle of Ayodhya Dham, covering temples like Hanuman Garhi and Ram Janmabhoomi.

Rituals: Devotees take a holy dip in the Saryu River before beginning the walk.

Varanasi:

Primary deity: Lord shiva, with visits to 5 specific shiva-related holy sties

Distance: Approximately 88.5 kilometers (about 25 kosh, traditionally completed over five days).

Timings: Primarily a festival for women, it is performed during the month of Sawan (July/August) or sometimes on specific dates during the Kartik month.

Route: A five-day journey starting and ending at Manikarnika Ghat, with stops at five main holy sites: Kardmeshwar, Bhimchandi, Rameshwar, Shivpur, and Kapildhara.

Rituals: Participants take a holy bath in the Ganges at Manikarnika Ghat to start.

In essence, the Ayodhya parikrama is a shorter, one-day event centered on the birthplace and kingdom of Lord Rama, while the Varanasi parikrama is a longer, multi-day pilgrimage focused on the sacred sites within the Kashi (Varanasi) region associated with Lord Shiva. Both are highly significant spiritual events in Hinduism, believed to purify the mind, body, and soul, and grant blessings to the participants. 

Ancient history and roots of the parikrama:

The history of the Panchkosi Parikrama in Varanasi and Ayodhya is rooted in ancient tradition, with both routes having a long history tied to religious beliefs. In Varanasi, archaeological evidence suggests the parikrama route is around 3,300 years old, and the tradition is about 3,000 years old, as supported by texts like the Brahmavaivarta Purana and Skanda Purana. In Ayodhya, the Panchkosi Parikrama is one of several parikramas (including 14 and 84 Kosi) and is believed to have been undertaken by Lord Rama. 

Varanasi:

Archaeological excavations suggest the Panchkoshi Parikrama route in Varanasi is over 3,300 years old. According to, Brahmavaivarta Purana's 'Kashi Rahasya' and the Skanda Purana's Kashi Khand, the parikrama symbolizes the five-part lingam of Lord Shiva, which is believed to be Kashi itself. The ritual is also believed to help pilgrims overcome the five human vices: kam, krodh, lobh, moh, and mad.

Ayodhya:

The Panchkosi Parikrama in Ayodhya is closely linked to Lord Rama. It is believed that he provides special energy for those who complete the parikrama with faith. While not as ancient as the one in Varanasi, Ayodhya has several important parikramas, with the Panchkosi being one of them. Other major parikramas in the region include the 14 Kosi and 84 Kosi parikramas.This parikrama, along with the 14 Kosi, is central to the spiritual life of the city, and it is believed to bring spiritual purification and freedom from sins.