Griha Pravesh Pooja Guide 2023

Hindus have a tradition of performing a Griha Pravesh Pooja (housewarming ceremony) when they move to a new home. This Pooja purifies the new home’s environment and shields it from the evil eye so that its inhabitants can lead a happy, prosperous, and harmonious life. The head of the family performs the auspicious Pooja, usually with the help of a priest.

In Vaastu Shastra, the home is regarded as a living entity that can be invaded by negative forces. These negative energies can cause problems for the occupants of the house by affecting their health, wealth, career, domestic harmony, etc.

The reason for doing Griha Pravesh Pooja is to attract good fortune when one moves into a new house. The ritual purifies the surroundings and shields the home and its new occupants from negative energies. Based on the homeowner’s birth chart, an astrologer selects an auspicious date for the Pooja. Usually, a priest performs the Pooja. One can do the Pooja without a priest, too. But choosing the right date for the Pooja is essential.

A house, as per Vaastu Shastra, has five elements - Sun, Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. If these are aligned properly, the occupants of the house can enjoy good health, prosperity, and happiness.

Griha Pravesh Tips

Choose an auspicious date

Selecting an auspicious date matters as it can attract prosperity, happiness, and good health for the home occupants. It makes the Pooja more sacred, and Vaastu Purusha (the deity of construction and building) will bless the home.

Mop the house with saltwater

Mop the house well with salt water before the Pooja. This will cleanse and purify it. You can also add vinegar, salt, and other things to the water before you mop. This can help attract positive energy.

Purify the house

‘Gangajal’is very holy and has purifying abilities. Use mango leaves to sprinkle the holy water in the house or as advised by the priest. This can bring good luck.

Decorate the house

Decorate the main door with ‘Toran’ and freshly-plucked marigold flowers. Place auspicious symbols like a Swastika or lotus for luck. Draw a Rangoli to adorn the floor and give your home a festive look.

Illuminate the house

Use diyas, candles, or LED lights to decorate all corners of the house. Place some at the main door, windows, and balcony. There should be no dark corners anywhere.

Perform a Vaastu Pooja

Performing Vaastu Pooja for a new home is very auspicious. It is carried out when the roof of the house is covered, and the doors are fitted with shutters. Also, decorate the main door with mango leaves and fresh flowers. Cover both ends of the main door with a spiritual symbol. After Vaastu Pooja, you may also perform Ganesh Pooja and Navgraha Shanti Pooja.

Idol placement during Vaastu Pooja

Idol placement is a very important part of the Pooja. Place them in an East-facing direction as the sun, which is the source of energy, rises in the East.

The Pooja room of the house must also be fixed on the day of Griha Pravesh. It should be in the northeast direction.

Havan

After the Vaastu Pooja, the Havan follows. In the Havan ceremony, herbs and wood are offered to the fire to purify the house and cleanse the environment.

Offer a meal for guests

Once the Pooja is over, offer lunch or dinner for family and friends. This can help you gain their goodwill and blessings.

Moving in

After the Havan and the Vaastu Pooja, you can move into the house. For the next 40 days after the Pooja, there should be someone in the house all the time. The house must not be locked or vacant.

Griha Pravesh Pooja

Here are the step-by-step instructions for the Pooja:

· Begin the ritual by breaking an ash gourd left at the entrance of the house

· The lady of the house should break a coconut to ensure the removal of all obstacles.

· Perform a Havan to remove three sins incurred during construction- cutting trees, breaking stones, and digging the earth.

· Perform Vaastu Shanti Pooja, Ganesha Pooja, and Navagraha Shanti Pooja

· Finally, offer a feast for the gathering of relatives and friends.

Griha Pravesh Pooja Without a Priest

If you cannot find a priest, you can perform a havan and Pooja of your 'ishta devta’.

· Fix a date after referring to the Hindu almanac.

· Purchase the items for the Griha Pravesh Pooja.

· Decorate your home with lights and flowers.

· On the first day, enter your new house with an idol or picture of Ganesha in your hand.

· Place the idol/picture in the northeast corner of the house. Light lamps and place them in front of the idol.

· Offer prasad to the deity; it can be sweets, flowers, and fruits.

· Place a kalash (copper pot) filled with holy water (Gangajal) near the idol.

· Cover the kalash with a coconut and four mango leaves.

· Hang a toran of mango leaves at the house entrance to repel negative energies.

· Boil milk in a new vessel or cook a sweet dish. Offer it as prasad to guests.

· Light a camphor lamp and perform Mangal Aarti.

· Ring bells or blow a conch.

· Break the coconut and offer it as prasad to guests.

· Use the mango leaves to sprinkle the water from the Kalash all over the house.

· You can also invite underprivileged kids and offer them food, gifts, or sweets, or donate to an NGO.

Things to Avoid During the Griha Pravesh Pooja

· Do not move into your new place on the day of Holi.

· Do not lock the house at night on the day of the Pooja. Light a lamp to attract positivity.

· The house should not be left empty. Move all the required items within three days of the Pooja.

· Do not hold the Pooja if there are any pregnant women in the family or if you are mourning the death of a close relative.