Griha Pravesh tips for your new house according to Vastu Shastra

When it comes to buying property or moving into a new home, Indians are highly picky about Shubh Muhurats. They believe that performing the Griha Pravesh ceremony according to Vastu Shastra on a happy day will bring them good luck.

With more and more people actively buying homes for end-users in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a sharp increase in the number of people performing the Griha Pravesh ceremony. However, considering the pandemic, most people choose to hold an online ceremony with the priest guiding them through the process and the guests present. In this way, people can continue to practice their religious beliefs while they are safe. The next set of auspicious days for Griha Pravesh festivities is accessible in November 2021, when the month of Shravan continues (23 July to 22 August 2021), followed by Bhadrapad and Ashwin, where the Pitru Paksha period is observed (20 September to 6 October 2021).

The Griha Pravesh ceremony takes place when one enters a new house for the first time. It is important, not only for the owner but also for the whole family. According to Vastu Shastra, a house consists of five elements: sun, earth, water, fire, wind and the proper alignment of these elements in the house brings happiness, good health, and prosperity.

It is believed that entering the house at an auspicious time makes life easier and there will be a minimal struggle for the family after moving into the new house. Vasant Panchami, Akshaya Tritiya, Gudi Padwa, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, and Dussehra (also known as Vijayadashmi) are the best days for such Muhurats, whereas Uttrayana, Holi, Adhikams, and Shraddha Paksha should be avoided.

The house warming performed in Dussehra does not even require a happy moment, as every moment of this day is considered auspicious. Before Griha Pravesh, Kalash pooja is usually performed. This ritual requires a copper pot with water in it and nine types of different grains and coins placed in it. When entering the house make sure to carry the coconut which is placed in the pot, accompanied by the chanting of the mantra by the priest.

Dos and don’ts for performing a Griha Pravesh according to Vastu Shastra

The Griha Pravesh should be done only when the new house is ready for the family to move in and stay. The house must be complete. It must be freshly painted and the roof ready (if it is an independent house). Doors, windows, and other accessories must also be complete.

According to Vastu Shastra, Vastu Purush and other deities are worshiped. The main door should be decorated with auspicious symbols such as swastikas and Lakshmi's feet drawn on the threshold, as this is the entry point for prosperity and good feelings in the house. Toran (from the Sanskrit word "Torana", meaning sacred door) must be hung, which is made of fresh mango leaves and marigold flowers, at the entrance, the temple must be in the house in the northeast and the day of housing warming.

The Griha Pravesh ceremony can be simple or complex, depending on the owner. Havan is usually done to purify the space and cleanse it of negative forces. A Ganesh puja, Navagraha Shanti (worship of the nine planets), and Vastu puja are usually performed. Food should also be served to invited priests, family, and friends on this day. Once the housewarming ceremony has taken place, the owners can move into the new house. Furthermore, Vastu Shastra experts advise that after Griha Pravesh puja, for at least 40 days, one of the family members should be in the house all the time and the house should not remain closed and empty.

Tips for the Griha Pravesh of your new home 

• Always do Griha Pravesh on a happy day. Idols should be placed facing east of the house.
• Thoroughly clean the house before pooja. Clean the floor with salt water to disinfect and clean the area. You can also wash it with a mixture of salt, lemon juice, and white vinegar.
• When entering the house, put your right foot first.
• The main door must be decorated, Decorate the door with mango leaves and fresh flowers as it is called Simha Dwara and is the face of the Vastu Purush. It should have a swastika, go-Padma, lotus, or any other spiritual symbol on both ends.
• Decorate the ground with rice flour rangoli or bright colors. The Rangolis on Earth is believed to be calling Goddess Lakshmi.
• Havan (Herbs and wood) is said to purify the place and clean the surroundings.
• Everyone who attends the Griha Pravesh puja should receive some gifts; No one should leave home empty-handed. It could be anything from a small silver coin, an idol of a deity, packets of candy, or fresh live plants, depending on one's budget.

Things to do before a Griha Pravesh

Choose the auspicious date

While the festive season presents a plethora of auspicious dates for Griha Pravesh, For Griha Pravesh, the festivals of Dussehra and Diwali are auspicious, and you can perform puja after consulting a priest.

Complete the construction and finishing work

Avoid moving into your new home if construction is underway. Move into your new home only when the house is completely ready. Griha Pravesh means entering a new phase of life, a whole new house in every sense of the word. So make sure everything is finished, including carpentry, fixtures, painting, etc.

Make sure the home is Vastu-compliant

Things to do as per Vastu Shastra for Griha Pravesh puja day

Decorate the entrance

On the day of the Griha Pravesh puja, be sure to decorate the main entrance with flowers, marigold turans, and fresh mango leaves. You can also place the symbol of the swastika or the feet of the goddess Lakshmi on the front door as they signify prosperity and luck.

Clean the entire home

Before bidding, make sure to clean the entire house well to make it look welcoming. This will invite positivity and good energy to your new home. Clean all the corners of your house before starting the puja

Purify the home

Sprinkle Ganga Jal in the whole house. Place the Ganga Jal on a separate pallet in an unused corner of your house, with raw mango leaves on top. Use these leaves to spray water everywhere. Ganga Jal is believed to have purifying energy that removes negative emotions from home.

Make a rangoli

Rangolis are associated with the holiday season and are thought to bring good luck and fortune. Draw one near the entrance, before doing a Griha Pravesh puja, using rice flour or commercially available rangoli colors. Make sure that it does not obstruct the entrance of people to the house.

Griha Pravesh flower decoration

Apart from the front door and puja area, decorate the entire house for Griha Pravesh puja. Fresh flowers make the house look inviting and welcoming Use fresh. flowers to hang tops, brackets, corners, and centerpieces. One can go for traditional themed yarns and garland decoration with marigolds, tubular roses, shevanti, etc. along with some lotuses and colored threads. Flower balls and flower pendants can be used to highlight different areas of the house. If you like the western style, choose flowers such as tulips, orchids, roses, and carnations, etc., with hanging pearls or colored curtains.

Things you need for Griha Pravesh puja