The Best Tips to Design Your Pooja Room According to Vastu
Your pooja room is a sacred space in your home – a space for meditation, calm, and positivity. This positive energy is known to energize the mind, body and soul of the entire household. Religious books, idols, images of deities, and other spiritual belongings that you keep in this room need to be protected from negative energies. So it makes sense to design this revered space according to the principles of Vastu Shastra. Whether it is a room or just a shelf in a room, how do you make your mandir Vastu-compliant? Let’s take a look at some of the most practical pooja room Vastu tips.
Identify the Right Direction and Location
According to Vastu principles, north-east is the divine direction and you must place your prayer room in this direction. This is meant to channel in maximum energy from the sun. If that space is not available, you can place the pooja room in the east or north corner of your home. But never the south. You should face the east or north direction while worshipping. If yours is a multi-storeyed home, it is a good practice to keep the pooja room on the ground floor. Suppose you have a big plot or hall, place the pooja area in the centre, also known as the Brahmasthan.
Avoid keeping a pooja space in the storeroom, basement, or upper floors if you have a choice. Neither should it be positioned under the stairs. Also, avoid the bedroom unless there is no other option. If your pooja space is in the bedroom, place your bed so that the feet do not point towards this corner. Keep the pooja corner away from the bathrooms and the kitchen.
- Doors for the Pooja Room
If you have a separate room, then you should consider keeping a two-door shutter. Keep the doors and windows on the north or east walls is ideal for the pooja room.
You can also go for double doors even if you have a small pooja unit like the one in the image below.
The Ideal Structure of the Pooja Space
A pooja room should mimic the gopura of a temple with a pyramid-shaped top. If you cannot alter the structure of the home, you can buy a wooden or marble pooja shelf with a pyramid top. These are available in plenty of designs in the market nowadays.
In temples, you must’ve noticed a threshold on the floor that you step over when you enter. Bring in the same threshold in your pooja room to keep away insects and ants.
Placing Idols and Photos
Vastu principles don’t prescribe keeping idols in a pooja room. Instead, they recommend keeping photos. But if you must, as is common practice, place your idols and photographs on the east or west side of the room. Place them a few inches away from the wall so that air, water and incense fragrance spreads all around. Idols shouldn’t be placed facing each other. The feet of the idols should be at your chest level when you sit down to meditate.
Storage in the Pooja Room
Keep your pooja accessories like lamps, oils, books, etc. on shelves on the south or west walls. Do not place anything above the idols.
Vastu Colours for the Pooja Room
White and light yellows or light blues work well in a pooja room in creating a peaceful atmosphere conducive to positive thoughts. Stay away from loud colours which will distract you while meditating.
Pooja Room Lighting
Prayer lamps and diyas must be lit in front of the idols or photos. Place the pooja corner in a space which is naturally lit. If there isn’t enough natural light, light up the room from all sides, especially the south-east or east side.
- Pooja Room Cleanliness
Remember to keep your pooja space dust- and dirt-free, remove any broken idols or torn photographs from the space. If you offer food during prayers and bhajans, remember to remove them after some time, and clean the area with a wet cloth.
Do not use the pooja space for any other purpose or to store any additional home items. Keep it clear and clutter-free at all times. Check out these 10 tips to clean the pooja room clean.
Work with a professional design firm to plan your auspicious pooja room according to Vastu principles, and tastefully too. The design experts at HomeLane are adept at designing pooja rooms in Indian homes using the right logic, colours, and materials – why not speak to them for a consultation now?