Buying a house is a matter of great excitement for everyone. The new house is a source of new hopes and aspirations for the owner. Hence, the entry into new house has to be grand and auspicious. Griha Pravesh or house warming ceremony is a popular ritual which is followed in most cultures around the world. The owner enters the new house by invoking the name of God so that good luck and prosperity resides in the house forever.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CONCH SHELL IN HINDUISM In Hinduism, Griha Pravesh is a very important ritual in a person’s life. It is a symbol that the person has worked hard and successfully built the house with his/her hard earned money. On the day of Griha Pravesh the family enters the house at an auspicious time and performs puja in order to please the deities and protect the house from all evil forces. There are a few rituals that are followed while performing the Griha Pravesh puja. Here are the steps on how to do the Griha Pravesh puja on entering your new house.
Things You Need For Griha Pravesh Puja Idol of Lord Ganesha & Lakshmi Kalash or a pot filled with water Toran or mango leaves in a string to be hung on the door Puja items (turmeric, kum kum, incense sticks, lamp, sandalwood paste, fruits, flowers, sweets etc.) Items for havan (havan vessel, firewood, ghee, havan powder, matches etc.) Milk Vessel
Auspicious Time The auspicious day is chosen for Griha Pravesh according to the movement of the Sun. When the Sun moves north, it is regarded as the best time for Griha Pravesh.
Worshipping The Cow A cow is a sacred animal in Hinduism. So, on Griha Pravesh a cow is decorated with garlands, worshipped and then taken inside all the rooms of the house to invoke blessings.
The Threshold Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped at the threshold of the house to prevent evil forces from entering the house.
Owners Enter The lady of the house (wife of the owner) should enter the house first with a pot full of water and should first keep her right foot inside the house. The husband or the owner should follow her with the idols of the God and Goddesses. Then the children must enter with the groceries which signifies prosperity. In the end, the relatives should enter.
Ganapati Hom The havan kund is lighted and the first hom (pooja) is performed invoking Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles and hence He is worshipped to get rid of all the hindrances in entering the house.
Lakshmi Hom The Goddess is invoked for wealth, prosperity and good health in the new house.
Boiling The Milk After the puja, the first thing to be cooked in the new house is milk. The milk must be boiled on Griha Pravesh. After that the new house must not be left vacant at least for 24 hours.