INTRODUCTION
The शलाकर्म Shalakarma yagya is sometimes referred to as the Griha pravesh गृहप्रवेश ceremony. It forms part of the Grihastashram or Householder life of the Sanskaara Vidhi.
Whether building a new home or moving into a new home or living quarters, this ceremony provides a religious housewarming ceremony. In modern times, the world has replaced the auspiciousness of a new home or living quarters with a modern-day housewarming, often devoid of the essential religious aspects.
When constructing a new home, the ceremony should be held at the construction site before the laying of the foundation begins. The link to the Foundation Laying Ceremony can be found here.
This House Opening ceremony (housewarming) for those moving into new living spaces, whether a completed new construction from part (1) above or a newly acquired home, apartment, or any living space.
NOTES
ACCESS TO THE FOUR SIDES:
For homes with lawn space and access to the four sides on the perimeter of the lawn, the ceremony requires that flags be raised in the four directions.
For homes that have no outer yard space, like apartments, townhouses, or other types of homes where the owner/tenant has no access to outer walls or no doors to all four sides of the homes, the flag can be planted at the front entrance.
If it is impractical or impossible to erect flags outside of the home, then a small indoor flag can be put up in the central part of the home.
HAVAN KUNDA/VEDI
The Sanskaara Vidhi requires four vedis, one in each direction, outside of the home – presumably in the proximity of the flag in each direction. This was based on the practice of building homes with a door in each direction.
In the current era, homes rarely have doors in every direction. Most homes have a front and a rear door. Some homes only have a front door and an escape ladder. So, in these cases, having four flags and four Vedis is impossible.
If the type of dwelling makes it possible to have a door in each direction and a Vedi/Kunda in each direction, then it should be done. If it is not feasible or practical, then a central Vedi is acceptable.
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