Vastu Shastra for house plan
Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian science of architecture and design. It aims to create a harmonious living environment by aligning the elements of nature with the interiors and exteriors of buildings.
Vastu Shastra considers five basic elements of nature - water, air, earth, fire, and space, and their impact on human lives. Vastu Shastra provides guidelines for the optimal placement of rooms, furniture, and other elements in a building to create a comfortable and peaceful living environment.
Many architects follow the guidelines set by Vastu Shastra before planning or designing the interiors and external structure of their house.
To plan or design a home based on Vastu Shastra one needs to have proper knowledge of vastu vidya and engineering geometry.
Site selection and measurements of the site
Selecting a land with proper shape and measurements is a very key component and utmost care should be taken. The acceptable and recommended shapes of land to plan your house would be square and rectangular whereas sites in the shape of triangle, polygon or any other shape are not acceptable and are considered inauspicious.
Determination of direction
The house's facing is crucial for proper orientation and placement of rooms and other elements in a building. Some of the methods used to determine the direction are:
- Sun orientation
- Compass
- Astrology
- Site assessment depending on the natural features nearby like hills, trees, and water bodies
Dos and Don’ts for home planning according to Vastu Shastra
Bedroom: For optimal Vastu, the bedroom is typically in the southwest, north, or northwest. The bed should preferably be placed with the head towards the east or south. Use light colors and avoid electronics and mirrors. Windows and doors should ideally be in the north or east direction. It is recommended that you avoid sleeping with your head pointing towards the north direction as per Vastu Shastra. It is believed that the body's magnetic field interferes with that of the earth, causing fluctuation in blood pressure and even leading to heart problems.
Kitchen: Ideally, the kitchen should be in the southeast corner. The stove and gas cylinder should also be placed in the southeast direction, facing East. It is recommended to avoid planning or placing the kitchen in the north, Northeast, or East direction. It is also recommended to avoid placing the kitchen near the entrance or in the northeast corner.
Living room: The living room should ideally be located in the north or east direction. It is preferable to place the furniture in the west or south direction depending on the facing of the house and space arrangement.
Staircase: As per the Vastu Shastra guidelines, the staircase is supposed to be located in the south, west, or northwest direction, except in the northeast zone. It is recommended to avoid placing the staircase in the center of the house, and it should always turn clockwise.
Puja room: It is suggested to place the puja room in the northeast corner of the house, according to Vastu Shastra. The idols and images should ideally face east or west for positive energy flow. To maintain the sanctity of the puja room, it is advisable to avoid placing it in the bedroom.
Dining room: The dining room is preferably located in the east, west or south directions. The dining table should not be against any wall, and the dining hall should be well-lit.
Toilets and bathroom: The toilet should ideally be placed in the southwest or south direction. The bathroom is to be placed northwest or southeast, and it is best to avoid toilets and bathrooms in the North-East zone.
