grihapuja

Grihapuja, also called grihapuja or Gruhapravesam in some regions, is a Hindu housewarming ritual performed to purify and consecrate a new residence or a renovated space before or soon after inhabitants move in. The term griha means house and puja means worship. The ceremony aims to invite auspicious energies, remove obstacles, and ensure harmony, health, and prosperity for the dwelling and its residents. In many communities, it is connected with Vaastu Shastra and may be followed by a house entry ceremony known as griha pravesh.

During the ritual, a priest or family elder leads prayers addressed to the deities associated with the home, such as Ganesha and Lakshmi, along with the presiding deity of the place, the Vaastu Purusha. Mantras are chanted, and offerings such as rice, flowers, lamps, incense, and sacred water are presented. A havan or homa is sometimes performed, and a Kalash with mango leaves and a coconut is placed at the entrance. The doors may be marked with tilak, rangoli, or other traditional symbols. After the main puja, prasad and sacred water are distributed to participants.

Grihapuja is practiced across different Hindu communities in India and among diasporic populations. While the core aim remains the same, purification, protection, and the invitation of prosperity, the exact rites, deities honored, and timing can vary by region, family tradition, and astrologically chosen auspicious dates.