Moving into a new house is a huge milestone in one's life. It is a place of your own where you put down fresh roots and get ready for new beginnings. Hindu traditions recommend performing a Griha Pravesh ceremony before shifting into a new property. This blog details everything you need to know about this ritual and its importance for your well-being and prosperity.

 

The literal meaning of Griha Pravesh in English is 'entering the home.' It is a pooja or a religious ceremony Hindus perform when they enter their new home for the first time before they start living there.

 

People usually extend their Griha Pravesh invitation to close relatives and friends, which makes it an intimate celebration. However, the event is more than just a housewarming party. It also has immense spiritual significance as it removes negative energies from the space. It cleanses the property's aura and infuses it with positivity, allowing a comfortable transition for its new residents.

 

A house is believed to be a living entity made up of five natural elements, i.e. fire, earth, water, wind, and sun. The Griha Pravesh pooja helps auspicious cosmic forces align with your new abode, ensuring that the five Vastu elements are in perfect balance.

 

The Muhurat refers to the auspicious dates and timings in a given year for scheduling the Griha Pravesh pooja. It follows the Hindu calendar and is based on Vastu Shastra and astrological sciences. If you are wondering what would be the best muhurat to move into your new home, you may consult a priest or an astrologer.

 

PREPARATIONS FOR THE CEREMONY

Pick an appropriate muhurat :

According to the priest or astrologer's advice, fix a suitable day and time for the pooja. Choosing an auspicious muhurat instead of picking a random date can set a positive tone for your future in this new house.

 

Check the availability of all family members :

While the right muhurat is critical, you must also ensure that all the family members who will be living in the new household are available on the day of the ceremony. Everybody's attendance is vital since this pooja is meant to bless the new property as well as its soon-to-be residents. It is also said to strengthen and deepen familial bonds.

 

Hire a priest for the occasion :

The head of the family must perform the pooja in a priest's presence. Priests know the proper techniques to conduct all the rituals and are well-versed in the chants and prayers to be said on the occasion. You can hire the services of your dedicated family priest or any locally renowned priest for the ceremony.

 

Clean the whole house :

As the proverbial saying goes, Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness. Hence, it is essential to clean the house thoroughly before the pooja. Make sure it is free of dust, dirt, and clutter. A clean home attracts positive vibes and creates the perfect ambience for a successful ceremony.

 

Set up the pooja space :

For the ceremony, you need to set up a mandir (temple), a pooja room, or an altar with the idols of the deities you worship. Seek your priest's advice on the best direction and the most suitable corner of the house to arrange this set-up.

 

Decorate the apartment :

Decoration is a must for the housewarming pooja as it is for any festivities. After cleaning, adorn the space with decorative items like flower garlands, rangolis, diyas (earthen lamps), fairy lights, etc. Pay special attention to the flat's main entrance and the pooja space while decorating. Remember that you must illuminate every room in the house with lights. Don't forget to arrange mats and chairs for the guests to sit on during the pooja.

 

Keep all pooja items ready :

Various items, including holy Ganga jal (water of the River Ganga), coconuts, flowers, mango leaves, grains, fruits, milk, etc., are essential for the ceremony. Speak to your priest and make a list of all the required items so that you can arrange them all before the pooja.

 

Make the prasad :

You must prepare a traditional sweet delicacy, such as kheer or halwa, and serve it as 'prasad' for the occasion. You must first offer it to the deities, followed by the priest, and then distribute it among your family and guests.

 

Feast arrangements :

When people send out a Griha Pravesh invitation card , they also usually arrange a feast for all the invitees in honour of the special occasion. This feast is offered after the pooja rituals and prasad distribution are done. However, you must first offer the food to the priest and seek his blessings.

 

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:

You must organise the Griha Pravesh pooja only after the property's construction is fully complete. In ready-possession properties, you can move into your new house without any delay, since the construction is already finished.

 

Ensure that the property's utility provisions, such as gas, electricity, water, etc., are functional before you do the pooja.

 

Don't move any furniture into the house before the pooja, except the gas stove.

 

Avoid wearing black-coloured clothing during the pooja, since it is considered inauspicious. Traditional garments in shades like red, yellow, green, etc. are ideal.

 

You must stay in the new house overnight after the ceremony. Continue the stay for at least three days to reap the spiritual advantages of the pooja.