Maharashtrians make an embossed image of their home on silver or gold depending on what they choose. "The Vaastu Shanti pooja is then performed with the image to open up the doors for everybody and make the house inhabitable," says Hema Abhyankar.

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But in the case of buildings today, the builder or the previous owner has usually already performed this pooja. So Navagraha pooja is performed instead. It is usually a half-day affair. 

Also, the owners of the house take something precious like pearls and bury it under the flooring!

As Grand As a Wedding

"The Oriya housewarming rituals are as grand as our weddings. We perform almost 75% of the rituals that are performed at our weddings because owning a house is like milestone in one's life," says Suvarna Goel.

Check out some ideas to Make Your Housewarming a Grand Affair!

Just like at the wedding, the havan is done with the lady and man of the house. After the ceremony, the immediate family, usually the parents, feeds the couple a scrumptious meal.

Family and friends are invited for lunch and the owners of the home give away gifts to their guests. The women usually get sarees and the men get kurtas and dhotis.