Vastu Worship/Puja Room Tips

For the bright future and security of their children, our elders established several principles and rules in ancient times. Vastu Shastra is one of them, and through it our ancestors indirectly emphasised the importance of the north-eastern part of the house. In our country, India, there are many superstitions. For example, some believe that sneezing before starting a journey is inauspicious, and that it is better to sit for a while before continuing on. Similarly, if a cat crosses the road, it is considered a bad sign, and people wait a while before moving on. Such blind beliefs still hold sway over us, even though in other countries cats are simply seen as domestic pets, and in a few places a cat crossing one's path is even considered auspicious. We should not judge these beliefs — blind faith is just that, blind faith, and often nothing more than superstition. In much the same way, some mistaken notions have grown up around the Puja Room in our homes.

The Worship Room, or Puja Ghar, is one of the most important considerations in Vaastu. If the puja room is placed in the wrong location, it causes a very serious Vaastu defect, and there is no solution or workaround for this other than moving the Puja Ghar to the right place.

• The Worship Room or Puja Ghar should be in the north-east corner of the building only. East (but not south-east) and North (but not north-west) sides are also Ok for Puja Ghar.
• The north-eastern part of a house is very delicate and cannot bear heavy weights. This is the reason why so much importance is given to the north-eastern side.
• The room and floor should be white in colour; walls in light yellow are also acceptable.
• The idol should face south or west, so that when we pray we face north or east.
• The idol should not be placed directly in front of the entrance gate.
• Idols should not touch the wall; they should be kept at least an inch away from it.
• The showcase should be placed on either the west or south wall of this room.
• The Puja Ghar should have a wooden door with two shutters, and the door may have auspicious signs, such as a Swastik ( 卍 ), designed on it.
• If there is a place for a havan (fire ritual), it should be in the south-east corner of the room, and the person performing it should sit facing east.
• The Puja Ghar should not be in the bedroom; if there is no alternative, only children should sleep in that room.
• Doors or windows in the Puja Ghar should be on the south or west side of the room.
• If any paintings or photos are placed on the walls of the Puja Ghar, they should be chosen carefully — no violent, scary, or portrait photos of people, animals, or birds should be kept in the Puja Ghar.
• Lamps, candles, or diyas should be placed on the east or south-east side.
• The Puja room should not be in the south, west, south-west, or north-west corner of the house.
• The most auspicious shape for a Puja Ghar is a pyramid.
• The Puja Ghar should not be on a floor above, below, or next to the toilet, bathroom, or kitchen.
• Idols should not be facing each other