Rav Eliezer Papo (1786-1827), in his Hesed La’lafim (listen to audio recording for precise citation), discusses the direction the person that is carrying the Sefer torah should face in the synagogue when he carries the Sefer Torah from the Hechal (ark) and when he returns it to the ark. The rule, he explains, is that one should always turn to the right. Therefore, if the ark is on the eastern wall of the synagogue, and when the Hazan removes the Torah from the ark he stands with his back to the ark, facing the Tebah (table), he turns to the right, northward, and walks that way to the Tebah. And when the time comes to return the Torah to the ark, the Hazan should walk the other way; meaning, he turns to the right – southward – and carries the Torah along the southern side of the synagogue to the Hechal.
This also applies when one lifts the Torah at the Tebah to show it to the congregation. He should face eastward, to the ark, and then turn to the right, which is southward. He then turns all the way around until he is again facing the ark, such that everyone in the synagogue can see the Torah.
