Griha Pravesh invitations: the three types, the rituals, and what to write
Griha Pravesh is the ceremony held when you enter a new home for the first time. It is not simply a housewarming party, and the difference shows up in the invitation, because guests are being invited to a puja with a fixed muhurat rather than to drinks at eight.
This page covers the three recognised types, the rituals and what they mean, the timing rules families follow, and wording you can copy.
The three types
| Type | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Apoorva | A brand new house on newly acquired land. The full ceremony. |
| Sapoorva | Returning to a house you already owned after a long absence, for example after living abroad. |
| Dwandwah | Re-entering after major repairs, reconstruction or damage from fire or flood. |
Most invitations do not name the type, but knowing which one you are doing tells your priest what to prepare and how long it will take.
What happens, and what it means
- The thresholdThe lady of the house enters first, right foot forward, usually carrying a kalash of water with a coconut and mango leaves.
- The rice potA small pot of rice is placed at the doorway and gently knocked over as she enters, so grain spills into the home. Abundance, entering before anyone else does.
- Ganesh and Vastu pujaGanesh first to clear obstacles, then a puja to the Vastu Purush, the presiding spirit of the dwelling.
- HavanA fire ritual, usually in the main room or the north east corner.
- Boiling the milkMilk is boiled in the new kitchen until it rises and overflows, deliberately. Overflow is prosperity. This is the moment most families photograph.
- Feeding peopleThe first meal cooked in the house is shared. In many families a portion goes to a priest, to workers who built the house, or to those in need, before anyone else eats.
Timing, and the months families avoid
Griha Pravesh is nearly always held in the morning, during a muhurat chosen by a priest. Most families avoid the periods of Chaturmas, the shraadh fortnight, and the month of Adhik Maas when it occurs. Magha, Phalguna, Vaishakha and Jyeshtha are frequently considered favourable.
Practically, this means your date is decided by the panchang and not by the weekend, so give guests plenty of notice and be explicit that the puja starts at a fixed time.
Griha Pravesh invitation wording you can copy
Copy any of these and change the names, dates and places. They are written to be read out loud, so they sound right on a phone screen too.
Shree Ganeshaya Namah
With the blessings of the Almighty, we have entered our new home.
We request your presence for the Griha Pravesh puja and lunch.
[Family name]
[Day, Date] · Muhurat [Time]
[Address]
Your blessings mean everything to us.
Shree Ganeshaya Namah
Hamare naye grih mein pravesh ke shubh avsar par,
Grih Pravesh Puja evam Bhojan
[Din, Tithi] · Muhurat [Samay]
[Pata]
Aap sabhi ka sadar swagat hai. Aapke aashirwad ki abhilasha hai.
We finally have keys.
Griha Pravesh
[Day, Date] · Puja at [Time]
[Address]
Come for the puja if you can, and stay for lunch either way. No gifts, just come.
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Questions people actually ask
What is Griha Pravesh?
The ceremony performed when entering a new home for the first time, combining a Ganesh puja, a Vastu puja and a havan, held at a muhurat chosen by a priest.
Why is milk boiled over?
Milk is boiled in the new kitchen until it overflows, deliberately. The overflow represents abundance entering the home, and it is usually the first thing cooked there.
Which months are avoided for Griha Pravesh?
Most families avoid Chaturmas, the shraadh fortnight and Adhik Maas. Magha, Phalguna, Vaishakha and Jyeshtha are often considered favourable, but your priest will fix the date from the panchang.
Do we need to live in the house immediately after?
Many families believe the house should not be left empty after the ceremony, so they at least sleep there the same night. Practice varies, so ask your elders.
Should guests bring gifts?
Entirely up to you, and it is fine to say so on the invitation. Many families ask for blessings only, and putting that in writing saves guests the guesswork.