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:
| Ceremony | Purpose | |
| Aayushya homa | to ward off evil influences present in a child's life immediately following its birth, thereby ensuring longevity | |
| Mrutyunjaya homa | for ward off life threatening situations like accidents | |
| Dhanavantri homa | for good health | |
| Durga homa | to cancel negative energies; for self-confidence | |
| Chandi homa | For Victory in all endeavors | |
| Gayatri homa | to facilitate positive thinking and subsequently performing good karma | |
| Kritya Pariharana | to counter the effects of black magic | |
| Ganapati 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 appease the Nine planets and limit the evil influences in one's horoscope | |
| Punyahavachana homa | for the naming of a child | |
| Sudarshana homa | for success in an undertaking | |
| Santhana Gopala homa | for blessings for a Child | |
| Rudra homa | Getting rid of all negative influences | |
| 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 Sanyasi (monk) |
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 Sanyasi. 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).
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