So you have bought your new house. You feel that one burden of karma is over and you can rest knowing you are protected by a roof over your head. But remember, it is important to invite the grace of god into your dwelling before you move in so that your life is peaceful and bounteous in your new home. You hence need to perform Griha Pravesh on the occasion of one’s first entry into a new house. It should be on an auspicious day determined by astrologers according to the planetary calculations of the day and also the birth chart of the master of the house. Purity of panchang (almanac) and auspicious time (muhurat) are factors to be considered during the entry. The Hindu scriptures have laid out three types of Griha Pravesh.
Apoorva Griha Pravesh: First entry to a newly constructed house on land where no construction existed before.
Spoorva Griha Pravesh: Entering an existing house after returning from abroad or elsewhere.
Dwandwah Griha Pravesh: Entry into reconstructed or renovated house which has suffered damage due to fire, flood or earthquake.
During Apoorva Griha Pravesh, the emphasis is on the exact auspicious time to be adhered to. For the other two, the purity of the panchang is the important factor.
There are muhurats for Griha Pravesh. In a newly built house, enter first when the sun is in the uttarayan position; in old, renovated houses, when Guru (Jupiter) or Shukra (Venus) is setting (the star does not matter). Auspicious months for Griha Pravesh based on the lunar calendar, and their results are the following:
Auspicious Months
Moving in part January and part February increases your wealth in the new house.
Part February and part March is good for children and wealth.
Part April and part May also
ensures increase in wealth and prosperity.
Part May and part June is good for sons of the house.
The neutral months are part October and part November, and part November and part December. However, there are inauspicious months where Griha Pravesh could lead to losses, pains, troubles and fear of enemies. They are part June and part July, part August and part September, part September and part October (Ashwin), and part December and part January (Paush).
Furthermore, the tithis (dates according to lunar calender) 4, 9, 14 and Amavasya, or moonless night is unfavorable. Griha Pravesh should not happen on a Tuesday either.
Ceremonies
Before the Griha Pravash, Vastu puja is an important ceremony conducted by priests.
It is a puja held to please the Vastu Devata and performed outside the house before the householders actually enter the house. A copper pot is filled with water, navadhanya (nine kinds of grains) and one coin. A coconut is then placed on the top of the pot. It is covered with red cloth and tied up with the red thread called moli. After having done this, the priest performs the puja, after which the husband and wife carry the copper pot into the house together and place it near the havan kund.
The havan is held for Vastu shanti or griha shanti. This is meant to prevent malefic influences of the planets, remove negative vibrations and create a peaceful environment. Once all the pujas are concluded, food is offered to the priest. He is also given dakshina.
These are the two must-do poojas. Others like the Ganpati puja, the Satyanarayan puja and the Lakshmi puja need to be performed only if the priest recommends it or you want to feel extra satisfaction.
Before all this, you must ensure that some things in the house are completed. All 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 a sadya. Note that Griha Pravesh should not be conducted while the lady of the house is pregnant.
Ancient sciences say that ignoring these basic laws when moving into a new house can bring troubles and tribulations to the family. After the house-entry ceremony has been completed, the house should not be locked for a few days. How this is possible in today’s times is a challenge for all.
House rules
Before undertaking griha pravesh some factors need to be considered:
All doors and windows of the house should be fitted with shutters.
The roof should be covered. n The gods of vastu have been propititated with puja and sacrifices.
The priests have been offered a sadya and dakshina.
Griha pravesh should not be conducted while the lady of the house is pregnant.