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When it comes to major events in life like buying a house, Indians consider it essential to perform related rituals and ceremonies to avoid any negative effects. Many of you might be aware of the fact that a Griha Pravesh Pooja is performed when you enter your new home for the first time. This is different from the Vastu Shanti Pooja. This ceremony wards off the negative energies that can hinder the progress one needs in that house. This also brings happiness and peace in the life of the family members.
Description and guidelines for all the processes right from the selection of site to construction of the building, and of orientation of various rooms in directions, height of the rooms, positions of the doors etc. is found in Vastu Shastra. Actually the text that guides us to plan and construct a town, temple, residential house, cattle shed, or any other building equipped with all necessary amenities for the comfort and utility of mankind is given the name Vaastu Shastra which has been divinely described in Indian culture and scriptures.
Griha Pravesh (i.e. first entry into the newly built house) is also as important aspect of Vaastu-Shastra. After the house is complete in all respects, living in that house is started at some auspicious moment determined on astrological considerations. The first entry in the house at the auspicious moment is called Griha Pravesh ceremony.
For any newly built house house warming is considered a holistic occasion. This custom is done so as to keep evil forces away from entering new home. Even after land acquisition, a prayer (puja) is performed which is called as "Bhumi Poojan", and later house warming ceremony is called as "Vaastu-shanti".
When the house is ready to be occupied, a muhurta is selected for griha pravesha which consists mainly of Ganesha puja (Ganapati), The mandala is drawn to invoke the gods and nine planets, which act as witnesses to the ceremony. The offerings in the form of fire (Agni) which is supposed to convey to the gods. The family carries the havan kunda into every room. The various medicinal ingredients in the smoke from the havan disinfect and purify the air within. The house is encircled with thread three times from the east, which is the most auspicious direction. Both these signify the erection of protective barriers around the house to keep away evil influences, and are done to the accompaniment of the Rakshoghna Mantra and the Pavamana Mantra.
Holy water sprinkled around the house is to keep away evil spirits With this, grihya pravesha is completed.
The Grihyasutras give detailed instructions about the kind of land that should be chosen for constructing a house or temple, the direction it should face and the ceremonies to be performed at each stage. The Matsya Purana elaborates which stages during construction are important, like laying the foundation, and raising the first door, and explains that grihya pravesha puja should be performed at these stages. This ceremony is still performed in the traditional manner. After Ganesha puja, the jar of water is placed on a heap of corn, the universal symbol of fertility.
It is for the best to be ahead of time and decide the right date and muhurat for the Griha Pravesh ceremony. This will avoid any last-minute hassles and help you select your desired Shubh Muhurat for entering the house.
The ritual of breaking a coconut at the entrance is conducted before setting foot into the house. This process sanctifies the house and removes obstacles. The Griha Pravesh Pooja includes majorly of Ganesha Pooja done with the help of a priest. The drawing of a mandala is made to call on the deities and planets. This is done to make them witness the ceremony and get their blessings.
The lady of the house enters the kitchen to boil milk in a new utensil. Milk is considered as a symbol of purity and a boiling milk is the mark of abundance. In this boiling milk, rice is added to prepare sweet rice, which is then offered in the rituals during the pooja. This sweet prasad is then distributed among the people.
A string of mango leaves and lemons is hung on the main entrance door during the pooja. Mango leaves are known to possess a huge power of absorbing negative energy from the atmosphere. Chantings are done in order to get Vastu Devta`s blessings. This negates the evil energies in the air. The family conducts havan and does offerings in the fire as a ritual for Gods. They carry the havan kunda into each room of the house. The smoke spreads many healing ingredients from the havan purifies the air.
After the pooja is over, you should feed the priest well and also serve meals to everyone.
Vastu Shastra is a complete guide that includes processes related to selecting the site of building, directions of the rooms, position of house and doors, etc. Vastu for Griha Pravesh is a significant factor in this guide.
Below is a list of do's and don'ts that will help you in performing Griha Pravesh successfully:
Keeping the above guidelines and tips in mind, you can welcome prosperity and happiness in your home. If you have any Vastu Doshas in your home, you should take expert astrologer's help and perform Vastu Shanti Pooja. This will nullify the ill effects thereby bringing spiritual bliss to your home.
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