What do we need for a gṛha-praveśa (housewarming)?

a good muhūrta, a kalaśa, Gaṇeśa pūjā, boiling milk in the new kitchen, and entering with the right foot first.

Gṛha-praveśa is the first formal entry into a new home. Choose a muhūrta with your priest or the muhūrta page; many families avoid Kharmās, Cāturmāsa and Pitṛ Pakṣa for this. Clean the house fully beforehand, put a toraṇa of mango leaves on the main door, and draw a rangolī or svastika at the entrance.

Typical items: a copper or brass kalaśa with water, mango leaves and a coconut; turmeric, kumkum, rice, flowers, incense, a ghee lamp, fruits and sweets; and milk with a new vessel. The family enters together, often with the lady of the house carrying the kalaśa, right foot first. A Gaṇeśa pūjā is done, followed by a Vāstu pūjā or small havan, and milk is boiled in the kitchen until it overflows — a sign of abundance.

Cook the first meal at home and share it with guests or the needy. Sleeping in the house that night is a common custom.

Source: common practice; Vāstu texts · Boil milk until it overflows

Dharma Q&A — family & life events · Ask a Jyotishi your own question