Ukrainian woman shares what makes Indian housewarmings different from Europe's

A Ukrainian creator in India shared how her first Griha Pravesh differed from housewarmings back home. Her video highlighted how prayer and gratitude shape many Indian celebrations of a new home.Ukrainian woman shares what makes Indian housewarmings different from Europe's (Photos: @dra.sandraa/Instagram)A Ukrainian woman living in India said she expected an Indian housewarming to be just like the ones back home, but a visit to one completely changed her perspective on how differently new beginnings are celebrated.Sandra On, a Ukrainian content creator currently based in India, shared her observations in a video posted on Instagram after attending an Indian Griha Pravesh (housewarming) ceremony for the first time.In the video, Sandra admitted that she initially assumed housewarming celebrations were largely the same everywhere. She said she expected a gathering where friends and family would visit a new home, share a meal and celebrate together. Instead, she found herself attending a ceremony that began at 6 am.She explained that before anyone even thought about breakfast, family members gathered for prayers. Hindu priests had been invited to perform a puja, seeking blessings for protection, prosperity, peace and happiness in the family's new home. Breakfast, she wrote, was served only after the prayers concluded. The celebrations then continued with more religious rituals, devotional music and chanting before everyone sat down for lunch. It was only after the religious ceremonies had ended that the event gradually transformed into what she would normally consider a housewarming party.Comparing it to housewarmings in Europe, Sandra said the celebrations there are usually far more casual. Guests typically arrive in the evening, spend time chatting, look around the new apartment, share a meal and, in many cases, enjoy a bottle of wine together before heading home. She said the biggest difference wasn't the rituals themselves, but the intention behind them. In India, she observed, the celebration begins with gratitude.Rather than simply marking the purchase of a new apartment, the ceremony treats the house as a place where a family will build its future, making prayers and blessings the centre of the occasion.Watch the video here:The video prompted many people to explain why griha pravesh ceremonies hold such significance in Indian households, explaining that many Hindu families believed every new beginning should start by remembering God and seeking blessings before anything else.Others fondly described the atmosphere during housewarming ceremonies, mentioning the fragrance of incense sticks, ghee used in the havan and the peaceful environment created by the prayers.Many users also agreed that a home is viewed not merely as a physical space, but as the foundation of a family's life, making gratitude and spiritual rituals an integral part of the celebration.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Jul 25, 2026 10:38 IST