homA

Homa, also spelled havan or homa, is a sacred fire ritual in which offerings such as ghee, grains, and herbs are offered into a consecrated flame. Rooted in Vedic literature, the practice is used in Hinduism and is also found in Jain and some Buddhist traditions. The term comes from Sanskrit havan or havi, meaning offering, and the ritual centers on the fire as a conduit between humans and the divine.

In a typical homa, an altar or fire pit (havan kund) is prepared and lit, and priests or householders recite mantras drawn from the Vedas. Offerings are poured into the flames in a prescribed sequence, believed to carry the offerings to the gods. The ritual may be performed in temples, home shrines, or outdoor spaces, and it is often part of larger ceremonies or daily spiritual practice.

Different types of havan exist, varying by the mantras used, offerings offered, and the intended purpose. The broader term yajna refers to ritual sacrifices that include homa as a central element; agnihotra is a widely recognized form of the ritual that is performed at specific times, such as sunrise and sunset, and is practiced by lay communities in various regions.

Historically, havan figures prominently in Vedic yajna literature as a means of sustaining cosmic order, purifying environments, and expressing reverence to the divine. In contemporary practice, havan remains a common element in Hindu ritual life, adapted to regional traditions and modern contexts while preserving its core elements of fire, offerings, and mantra recitation.