Vastu Shastra tips for a temple at home

1. Vastu Shastra tips for a temple at home

2. When it comes to the temple or prayer area in a home, there are several Vastu Shastra guidelines that should be followed, to ensure maximum positive effects for the home’s inhabitants. We examine the dos and don’ts The temple at home, is a sacred place where we worship God. So, naturally, it must be a positive and peaceful place. The temple area, when placed according to Vastu Shastra, can bring health, prosperity and happiness to the house and its occupants. Although a separate puja room would be ideal, this is not always possible in metropolitan cities, where there is space crunch. The temple area, should be a zone of tranquility that is full of divine energy, says Mumbai-based Nitien Parmar of VastuPlus. “This is a space where one surrenders to the Almighty and gains strength. If one does not have the space to allocate an entire room for the temple, one can set up a small altar on the east wall, towards the north east zone of the house. Avoid placing the temple in the south, south-west or south east zones of house,” adds Parmar.

3. Ideal directions as per Vastu for the home temple Jupiter is the lord of the north-east direction, which is also called as the as ‘Ishan kona’, explains Jayshree Dhamani, a Vastu Shastra and astrology expert. “Ishan is Ishwar or God. That’s how it is the direction of God/Jupiter. Hence, it is advisable to keep the temple there. Moreover, the earth’s tilt is also towards the north-east direction only and it moves with the starting point of the north- east. Hence, this corner is like the engine of a train, which pulls the entire train. The placement of the temple in this area of the house is also like that – it pulls the energies of the entire house towards it and then, takes it forward,” says Dhamani. A temple placed in the centre of the house – a region that is called as the Brahmasthan – is also said to be auspicious and can bring prosperity and good health for the inmates, adds Dhamani.

4. How should a temple at home be constructed as per Vastu When it comes to constructing the temple, do not place it directly on the floor. Instead, keep it on a raised platform or pedestal, advises Parmar. “The temple should be made of marble or wood. Avoid temples made from glass or acrylic. Do not clutter the temple. Ensure that you do not have multiple idols of the same God or Goddess, either in a seating or standing position in the temple. The idol or photos placed in the temple, should not be cracked or damaged, as it considered is inauspicious,” suggests Parmar. One should be able to perform poojas, wherever the temple is kept. During special poojas, the entire family tends to pray together. Hence, ensure that there is enough space for the family to sit down and pray. The temple area should have good and healthy flow of energy. So, keep it neat and clean, without dust or cobwebs and avoid stuffing the space with too many accessories. Above all, the temple should give you a feeling of serenity and calmness.

5. Dos and don’ts for decorating a temple at home • The light or diya, should be placed on the right side of the person performing a pooja. Decorate the temple with fresh flowers. Light a few aroma candles, dhoop or incense sticks, to cleanse the area and create a divine ambiance. Photographs of the dead/ancestors, should not be kept in the temple. Create a small shelf near the temple, to place the incense, puja materials and holy books. Ensure that there are electric points near the temple, so that one can light up the temple during festive days. Avoid keeping unnecessary items below the temple or dustbins in this area. Some people keep the temple in the bedroom or kitchen. In such cases, hang a curtain in front of the temple, when you are not using the temple. Temple should not be against a wall that has a toilet behind it. It should also not be placed below a toilet on the upper floor. For the temple space, use white, beige, lavender or light yellow colours. • • • • • • • •