Griha Pravesh / गृह प्रवेश पूजा

Griha Pravesh is a ceremony performed on the occasion of one's first entry into a new house. Once the house is ready, the family moves in on an auspicious day that is determined by the astrological charts. Purity of panchang (almanac) and auspicious time (muhurat) must be considered during the griha pravesh. Three types of griha pravesh have been mentioned in our ancient scriptures.

Griha pravesh is not complete until: The doors of the house are fitted with shutters; The roof is covered; The Gods of vastu have been worshipped or offered sacrifices; The priests have been offered feast. House-warming ceremony should not be performed when the lady of the house is pregnant.

In a newly built house, the first entry is auspicious when the sun is in the uttarayan position; in old, renovated houses, when Guru (Jupiter) or Shukra (Venus) is setting (the tara or star does not matter in this case). Auspicious months for griha pravesh, that are based on the lunar calendar. Apoorva: First entry to newly constructed house on a newly selected land is called apoorva (new) griha pravesh. Sapoorva: Entry into an already existing house after travelling abroad or migration elsewhere is called sapoorva griha pravesh. Dwandwah: Entry into a house to after reconstruction or renovation subsequent to damage due to fire, flood or earthquake, is termed as dwandwah (old) griha pravesh. For apoorva griha pravesh, the exact auspicious time need to be adhered to. For sapoorva griha pravesh or dwandwah griha pravesh, the purity of the panchang should be given due consideration.