Housewarming Traditions in Sri Lanka

Recently my youngest sister and her husband moved into their first house. In Sri Lanka, moving into a new house comes with many rituals.

 

Unlike me, who just moved into my new house with a set of new door locks, my sister followed all these traditions.

 

First, she went to an astrologer who checked her and her husband's horoscopes and gave an auspicious time to move in. It was just after 6 am, so we all went to the house very early. According to rituals, nothing should be brought into the house before the auspicious time. When the time comes, they carried a pot full of fresh water and a tray of several items recommended by the astrologer.  The tray contained a little bit of rice, spices, vegetables, fruits, sweets and money etc. The belief is that it brings good luck and prosperity to the owners.

Then, there's another auspicious time for cooking in the house for the first time. The Sister set up a temporary hearth in the middle of the living room and placed a pot of milk. At the auspicious time, she lit the fire and heated milk until it overflows.



Later she cooked milk rice in her new kitchen and we all had milk rice for breakfast as it was still early morning. It was only a small group of close relatives.

Then movers brought in furniture and all other contents from the apartment to the new house. We were all busy placing things in proper places. Later in the afternoon they invited a Buddhist monk who chanted Buddhist sutras and blessed the house and its owners.

It was a very busy day and an exciting one at the same time. The sister and brother in law were so happy to be in their own home after searching for a house for a long time.