Purpose of Vedic Homa

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Homa (also known as homam or havan) is a Sanskrit word which refers to any ritual in which making offerings into a consecrated fire is the primary action. The words homa/homam/havan are interchangeable with the word Yagna. Homas are an important religious practice in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Some common homas

Homa rituals have been performed by Vedic priests for several millennia. The following is an illustrative list of a few such homa rituals, also available from Agnihotra Texas.

Name of Homa		Purpose
Aayushya homa		for longevity; often held to celebrate an anniversary, called the Mahamrityunjaya Homa
Dhanavantri homa		for good health
Durga homa		to cancel negative energies; for self-confidence
Gayatri homa		to facilitate good karma
Kritya Pariharana		to counter the effects of black magic
Ganapathi homa		to overcome obstacles
Lakshmi Kubera homa		for wealth and material prosperity
Mangala Samskarana homa		to celebrate auspicious events; to attain Moksha
Mahadevi homa		for the stimulation of a marriage and for marital felicity among those already married
Navagraha homa		to negate limitations in one's horoscope
Punyahavachana homa		for the naming of a child
Sudarshana homa		for success in an undertaking
Vastu homa		a house-warming; to encourage good Vastu (energy in buildings)
Vidya homa		to benefit students; to facilitate learning
Vishwa Shanthi homa		for universal peace and harmony, as also harmony between the self and the universe
Viraja Homa		purification rites performed as part of the formal ceremonies by which a person takes the vows of renunciation (Sannyas), thereby becoming a Sanyasin (monk)

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The purification rites of the Viraja homa ritual also apply to the formal ceremonies by which a Hindu monk takes up the vows of renunciation (Sannyas), thereby becoming a Sanyasin. The procedure is a part of the full Sannyas Diksha monastic initiation ceremony. After the Homa, the monk receives the ochre robes the characteristic dress of Hindu monks, from his teacher (guru).

A typical Homa can take up to 3 to 5 hours to complete.

Basic List of Ingredients for a Homa, additional ingredients may be required depending on some specific requirements. Please discuss prior to making arrangements.

1. Havan Kund

2. Cow Dung or Wood pieces for burning Homa

3. Ghee 1 lb, warmed up and poured in a bowl

4. Rice (uncooked) 200 grams, in a bowl

5. Camphor

6. Red Roses

7. Moli - one ball

8. Incense Sticks - three packets.

9. One Diya with wick

10. Box of Matches

11. Five Dry fruits

12. Five Seasonal fruits

13. Five Sweets eg. ladoo, jalebi, etc.

14. Mohan Bhog (Persad)

15. One Dried Coconut - Kopra in Hindi.

16. Ganges Water

17. $ 10.25 in currency notes and coins,

18. One glass or lota of water and spoon

19. Haldi / turmeric powder, 100 grams

20. Cotton Balls to use in the havan to sustain fire.

21. Ghee 2 lbs. in two bowls (melted)

22. Havan Samigri One box

23. Barley - 100 grams

24. Brown rice 100 grams