Hindu ritual for new home

[QueenofClutter]

Strange one for me, and not sure what topic to put this under, but here goes.

I've agreed the sale of my house to a lovely Hindu couple. The house is empty as I've already moved out, but we haven't set a completion date yet.

They want to do the Griha Pravesh ritual before moving in.

My first reaction was not until they complete.

However I believe they have to do this on an auspicious date, and I don't want to do anything that would delay completion.

I dont mind someone coming round and saying prayers etc, but I understand part of the ritual involves lighting candles or lanterns, and also using the stove. I'm not too happy about that.

Any Hindu people around who could enlighten me about the ritual, and favourable dates etc? Does this really need to be done before completion (they've already told me they wouldn't move in immediately on completion)

There are apparently 11 auspicious dates between late October and the end of this year. I wouldn’t let anybody do anything until it’s actually their house.

Ask them if their insurance would cover the home if it caught fire, and whether they would still buy it if it did.
I suspect the answer would be no - not least because they can't insure a property they don't own.

I am Hindu, though not really practising. There are many auspicious dates so they can do the ritual once you complete. It mostly involves boiling milk!
You don't need to allow it until completion. I wouldn't.

The buyers are responsible for insuring a property on Exchange, so could it happen in between exchange and completion?

No way would I allow this before completion. As well as the potential fire risk etc I'd be concerned about them pulling out/wanting a price chip etc after the ritual because <insert religious reason here>. They can complete on the purchase and still do the ritual before they move into their new home.

I'd be tempted to allow it and ask if I could come along and participate, because it seems interesting, and a lovely way to celebrate the transition and wish them well.

You could check at the same time that they didn't burn the house down by boiling some milk.

I appreciate that might not be practical, though, and if you don't want to do it I'd be tempted to chat with them about dates - it seems like there would be lots of options.

Don't allow anything until after completion. They can do their ritual on any special date after that. Just because they are Hindu they aren't entitled to special treatment in the process.

Yes we allowed this on the sale of our second home . It was a couple who were first time buyers . We were still moving out when they unexpectedly turned up and asked .
They had a small puja tray , a small statue of one of the Hindu gods . They used our office . Placed the tray on a shelf , lit one small candle ( like the tea light type ) and one incense stick . They sat on the floor and said some prayers . The whole thing took 5/10 mins and then they left .

I don’t remember them heating anything in the kitchen ( the office was next to the kitchen which we were still in and out of as it was open plan downstairs) .

Me too and I wouldn't allow this sorry unless you can watch and make sure it's not more than lighting of one small candle / incense stick sometimes used. My MIL did this at our new house and was pretty quick about it (we had already completed though!)