My family members on my mum’s side are Hindu, so I’ve seen quite a number of house-warming ceremonies. I’m quite ignorant when it comes to ceremonies but there’s something nice and spiritual about it. I may not fully believe in everything but somehow at the end of the ceremony you feel a kind of serenity. My favourite part is boiling the milk with rock sugar and saffron. The milk is allowed to over boil because this is considered good. The milk overflowing signifies the overflowing of goodness like wealth, health and harmony. Saffron is used in a lot of Hindu ceremonies because it is the colour of fire which symbolises the Supreme Being. I must confess that I had to google the last bit. It’s pretty amazing how this ancient religion is full of symbolism.
The best part is we get to drink the sweet milk at the end of the ceremony. It’s also kinda fun to see the milk boiling over and spilling over the pristine new stove.
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
photo by bookjunkie
My aunt did all the work for the ceremony and even sought the advice of the priest to calculate what a good day would be to conduct the ceremony and move into the house. The calculations are based on Hindu astrology. Other items used in the ceremony itself include lighted oil lamps, coconut, flowers and holy ash. At the end of the ceremony my uncles helped to sprinkle holy water around the house.
This is very interesting. Very few Indians in my town – didn’t know all of this. Btw, thanks for dropping by my blog – I’ve linked you in my blogroll. Do come again.
are you from Malaysia? we used to drive there all the time in the 70’s and 80’s and I found the people were always so warm and the food heavenly. I love the beaches too 🙂 I must check out your blog more for good food to eat there.