Griha Pravesh

Griha Pravesh is the Hindu housewarming ceremony. The day when the ceremony is performed must be determined according to traditional astrological charts found in the Hindu astrological almanac or Panchangam.

Tamil Panchangam

There are three basic types of Griha Pravesh. If someone is moving into a brand new house this type of ceremony is called apoorva (new). When moving into a house where someone used to live you must perform sapoorva. If the house was damaged in fire, flood or earthquake the Griha Pravesh ceremony is done after the house is renovated. This type of Griha Pravesh is called dwandwah.

The periods for performance of Griha Pravesh are known as Muharats. Period between part of January and part of June is a good one. It is believed that the ceremony in this period can bring fortune, new kids etc. Griha Pravesh should be avoided in for example part of August and September. This period is called bhadrapad. It interesting to mention that the housewarming ceremony in parts of October, November and December is treated as kind of neutral, with no special positive or negative effects on one's life.

Griha Pravesh includes two Hindu religious ceremonies performed by the priest – Vastu Pooja and Vastu Shanti. Vastu Pooja is not performed inside the house. Objects used in this ceremony are a copper pot full of water, navadhanya (9 grains – black sesame, horse gram, bengal gram, green gram, black gram, rice, chickpeas, white beans and wheat), coin, red cloth, red thread and a coconut. After the ceremony copper pot is put next to the family havan (ceremonial fire).

The havan is the essential element of the Vastu Shanti ceremony. The purpose of this ceremony is remove the negative influence of planets and create the positive atmosphere inside the house. If the priest believes that it is needed he also performs more poojas like Ganphathi, Lakshmi or Satyranarayan pooja.