Grihapravesha (Sanskrit: गृहप्रवेश, romanized: Gṛhapravēśa, lit. 'solemn entrance into a house')[1] is a Hindu ceremony performed on the occasion of one's first entrance into one's new house.[2] This ceremony is similar in nature to a housewarming party.
The activities performed during Grihapravesha are said to have been described in the ancient text, Matsya Purana.[3][4] Through these rituals, it is believed that the evil spirits inhabiting the new house are driven out while also invoking gods to obtain their blessings and thank them for the new house.[5] The puja (prayer ritual) of this ceremony is performed in various stages during the construction and entry of the house. Once the home is ready, an adherent is described the muhurta (auspicious period) to conduct the puja, in consultation with an astrologer or a Hindu priest. The rite of vastu shanti is generally performed by a priest, done to propitiate the benevolent deities associated with the household and to ward away evil spirits.[6] According to Vaastu Shastra, a house is made up of five elements, namely, fire, water, earth, air, and sky. Performing Griha Pravesh Puja is beneficial in bringing happiness to the new house.[7]
Types
According to the Vastu Shashtra, the grihapravesha is prescribed in three forms:[8]
- Apurva, which is performed upon the first entry into a newly constructed home
- Sampurva, which is done when an individual enters the home after arriving from a foreign land
- Dvandva, which is done when the individual enters the home after reconstruction or renovation