Havan (or Homa) is a traditional, Vedic fire ceremony. Rice, fruit, seeds, incense, flowers, ghee, and spices are offered to the fire, as a form of the Divine Mother. The Ancient Indian Holy Scriptures (Vedas) prescribed performing homa to live in harmony, on a higher life path. The ceremony performed is the one taught by Shri Haidakhan Babaji, and performed at His ashrams worldwide.
“By doing havan, people gain happiness and all the pleasures of life; they all have good thoughts and love for each other. By the smoke from the havan the harmful germs in the atmosphere are destroyed and the good bacteria, useful to life, grow in it. This increases the plenty and prosperity of the world.” – Haidakhan Babaji
Basics of a Havan
The ceremony is performed by a Pujari (one who performs devotional ceremonies). Often, the Ceremony begins with Linga puja, offerings to the Shiva Lingam, Then, the Pujari continues reciting mantras, and begins to offer ghee to the fire. At this time, the participants begin to contribute, by reciting “swaha” at the end of each mantra, and offering samagri (a mix of rice, seeds, sugar, incense) to the fire.
After all of the mantras are completed, Puja (offering of earth, air, water, fire, and ether) and Aarti (song to invoke, offer, and receive Divine Light) to the Divine Mother are performed. Then the ceremony is complete.
The ceremony takes between 35 and 45 minutes.
To prepare for a Havan:
- Bathe/shower before arriving.
- Only drink clear liquids before the ceremony.
- Wear comfortable clothing of natural fiber.
- Be prepared to remove your shoes.
- Above all, be welcome. If you cannot meet these preparations, do what you can to “prepare” to celebrate the divine in your own way. It’s more important to show up than to prepare to show up.
About the Pujari, Susan
I have been working with Fire as a spiritual principle, through meditation, mantra, and sitting with the experience of fire, since 1994. I began learning specific ceremonies in 2015, starting with the Agni Hotra (sunrise and sunset) ceremony. I then learned Homa for the Divine Mother in 2016, and have performed this during Navaratri. I then learned the Haidakhan ceremony in 2017, and have been performing it ever since.
Read an extended account of my journey with fire here, or my review of different methods of “doing” fire here, or an article I wrote about fire and intention here.
Offerings at a Havan
All are welcome to participate in the Havan without cost. If you would like to bring gifts of gratitude when you come to participate at the ceremony, these are appropriate gifts:
For the ceremony/alter:
Incense/dhoop
Fresh Fruit (not citrus)
Fresh flowers
Candles
To assist in deferring ongoing costs of upkeep for the ceremony:
Linens
copper platters/cups/utensils
Rice
Ghee
Monetary donations
Perfume Oil
Clean, dry wood
The ceremonies offered here Haidakhan Fire Ceremonies which are free and open to all. If you would like to attend please contact me in advance, as space is limited. The timing of the ceremonies can be flexible, though a ceremony must begin before 11 am.
You may also sponsor a ceremony with a donation. A ceremony will be performed with special invocations and prayers for you and your request. Prosperity, marriage, child birth, health are often chosen.
You may host a Homa for cleansing, purifying, and healing for 108 USD. This may be done in your home or other space. Blessing a home, a garden, animals, or bees is often requested.
Text, call, or email: 908-256-2521 – susan@withpearls.com
All monies collected from these endeavors are earmarked to support the creation of a new/improved space to hold Haidakhan Fire Ceremonies, which are open to all.
Updated for 2020