After they all danced, Abe and Khara declared abt the House Warming pooja and then they all gathered at the God's table. Joseq brought the Idol of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi and kept it at the proper place as the priest guided.
Indians are generally particular about shubh muhurats, when it comes to buying a property or shifting to a new house. They believe that performing a griha pravesh ceremony on an auspicious day, will bring them good fortune. It is important, not just for the owner but also for the entire family. According to Vastu, a house is made up of five elements – the sun, earth, water, fire and wind and the proper alignment of these elements in a house, brings happiness, good health and prosperity.
Before griha pravesh, Laxmi pooja is performed. For this ritual, they filled a copper pot with water and nine types of grains and they placed a coin in it. A coconut is placed on the pot and one enters the house with it, accompanied by the chanting of mantras by a priest. Then they performed 'havan' to purify the space cleanse it off negative forces. A Ganesh puja, Navagraha Shanti, which means worship of the nine planets and a Vastu puja, too were conducted by the priest. Then the ritual of 'Boiling of milk' was performed by Khara. It's one of the most important ritual during house warming performed by woman of the family in which a milk is boiled till it overflows. Overflowing of milk signifies the abundance of happiness, wealth, health and peace to all the family members. Then finally, the priest sprinkled Holy water on all the corners of the house. Water from sacred rivers is considered as holy water. The sprinkling of holy water removes negative energies from the house.
In this way, they all performed the House Warming pooja. And then Abe and Khara with their childrens bent down and took the blessings from the priest for their well-being.
They served the priest first and took care of what his needs. Abe and Khara then gathered everyone in a line around the big food table, so they can serve everyone. They are serves is roti, rice, pork bharta, chak-hao kheer, galho, Aloo methi, manchurian, noodles, paneer chilli, soyabean chilli,
Aloo shimla mirch, Amriti with rabdi, Amritsari fish, Amritsari, Gobhi matar.
The drink list is apple juice, lassi, amul milk, Jal-jeera, Rooh Afza sharbat, Jigarthanda, Shikanji, Aam panna, Badam milk.
While they are serving, the children come running up towards the table.
Author Ciara Webb
Story written by Ciara Webb
Ritual Assistant 26Khayali
Co- Assistants 26Khayali and Ridhi.p
Co-author Mansi Rupesh More
©mairawrite
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