Homa (ritual)

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In Indian religions, a ''homa'' (Sanskrit: होम), also known as ''homam'' (plural: ''homams'') or ''havan'', is a fire ritual performed on special occasions. In Hinduism, by a Hindu priest usually for a homeowner (''grihastha'': one possessing a home). The ''grihastha'' keeps different kinds of fire including one to cook food, heat the home, among other uses; therefore, a ''yajna'' offering is made directly into the fire. A ''homa'' is sometimes called a "sacrifice ritual" because the fire destroys the offering, but a ''homa'' is more accurately a "votive ritual". The fire is the agent, and the offerings include those that are material and symbolic such as grains, ghee, milk, incense, and seeds.

It is rooted in the Vedic religion, and was also adopted in ancient times by Buddhism and Jainism. The practice spread from India to Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Homa rituals remain an important part of many Hindu ceremonies, and variations of homa continue to be practiced in current-day Buddhism, particularly in parts of Tibet and Japan. It is also found in modern Jainism.

A homa is also called ''yajna'' in Hinduism, sometimes for larger public fire rituals, or ''jajnavidhana'' or ''goma'' in Buddhism. In modern times, a homa tends to be a private ritual around a symbolic fire, such as those observed at a wedding. Provided by Wikipedia