Punyaham
Punyaham or Punyaha is a cleansing ritual observed by Hindus.
Performed by Brahmins, it is performed for the consecration of a house before its occupation by residents. After a site is selected as suitable for construction, the priest offers a sacrifice, and pronounces the name of the ceremony, puṇyāham, “this is an auspicious day”, to the sounding of musical instruments. He repeatedly whispers a mantra, the object of which is to request malicious spirits, asuras, and devas who may inhabit the site to leave, and find their abode elsewhere. He then takes a pot, fills it with earth mixed with cowdung white reciting mantras, and sows seeds within it.