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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. For such homes, you can consider wall-mounted mandir or small corner mandir as per your requirement.
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.
See also: Vastu faults that you shouldn’t ignore while buying a home
Vastu tips for temple at home
Ideal mandir directions as per Vastu
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.
Best direction to place your puja room at home
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 pujas, wherever the temple is kept. During special pujas, 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.
See also: Vastu tips for positive energy at home
Design ideas for puja mandir in small flats
A pyramid-structured ceiling that looks like the gopura of a temple, would be a good design for your puja room. The pyramid shape is known to attract positive energy.
Puja room in entertainment unit/living room
For small apartments, the best place to keep a puja unit is in living room. If you have vacant shelves in the entertainment unit, you can decorate a small corner for a dedicated puja space. However, privacy and concentration will remain an issue for people who like to spend a lot of time in meditation and praying.
Puja room in kitchen cabinet
You can customise a kitchen cabinet to make it work like a small mandir. The door of the cabinet could have carved edges and shapely holes on its surface, for dispersion of smoke when diyas and incense sticks are lit.
Dos and don’ts for decorating a temple at home
Placement of the puja room
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. Also, when placing a temple in the kitchen, reserve the north-east corner for it. Also, note that the 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.
The temple must be placed high, such that the feet of the idols placed should be at the level of the devotee’s chest. Never place the idol on the floor. Ideally, the idol should not be more than 10 inches.
If you are using a wooden temple, ensure a dome structure on its top and ensure that the entry towards the puja room has a threshold. If an idol is damaged, replace it and never keep broken idols in the temple.
A two-shutter door is ideal for a puja room, as per Vastu. In such cases, the idol should not be facing the door directly.
Lights/diya in a temple room
Diyas should be placed on the right side of the person performing the puja. Ensure that there are electric points near the temple, so that one can light up the temple during festive days.
Flowers in puja room
Always use fresh flowers in a puja room. Avoid stale ones.
Photographs and pictures
Do not put your own pictures in the puja room. You must also avoid photographs of your family members/ancestors who have passed away. It leads to an imbalance in the energy of the house.
Storage in a puja room
Avoid keeping things that you do not intend to use in the puja room. Create a small shelf near the temple, to place the incense, puja materials and holy books. Avoid keeping unnecessary items below the temple or dustbins in this area. Do not store anything above the idols. For water, use copper vessels only.
Colours to be used in a puja room
For the temple space, use white, beige, lavender or light yellow colours.
Ambience of a puja room
Decorate the temple with fresh flowers. Light a few aroma candles, dhoop or incense sticks, to cleanse the area and create a divine ambience. Remember that cleanliness in such a space is most important.
Avoid impure items in the puja room
Apart from the items mentioned above, leather is another item that is considered impure. Animal skin should not be placed in the temple space. Also, avoid keeping money in the puja room. While it is not impure, it is not considered right to save/store money in a place where you seek peace and blessings.
Best colours for a puja room as per Vastu
As already mentioned, to maintain the tranquility of a puja room, Vastu Shastra says that subtle colours are preferable. Whites, light blues and pale yellow are suitable. Avoid dark colours in a puja room. because these will not lend a sense of calm that is suitable for a prayer room. Similarly, use white marble or any light-coloured marble tiling for the flooring of your puja room.
See also: How to choose the right colours for your home, based on Vastu
Points to remember when installing a temple at home
If you are living in a small apartment or if the layout of the property does not allow Vastu-compliance for the home temple, choose the next best alternative that can be worked out. North-east is the best direction for a temple in your house, since it allows natural light. In the absence of natural light, you can illuminate the puja room with artificial lighting also, especially when it is a space with no windows.
| Know this | Avoid this |
| North-east is the best direction | Puja room should not be under the staircase |
| Face north or east while praying | Puja room should not be against a bathroom |
| Ground floor is the best location | Idols should not be kept facing each other |
| Doors, windows should open in the north or east | Do not use it as a multi-purpose room |
| Copper vessels are better | Do not keep pictures of the dead |
| Use light and soothing colours | Avoid placing a mandir in your bedroom |
Simple remedies for Vastu dosh in your puja room
- Ensure that the idols do not face each other.
- Keep the idols raised – even a simple bench would do.
- Place the idol at least an inch away from the wall.
- Lamps and diyas should be placed in the south-east.
- Never keep a damaged idol.
- Ensure a clutter-free environment in the puja room.
Where should the mandir be placed in an east-facing house?
In east-facing homes, the puja room should be located in the north or east corner, so that one faces either of these directions while praying.
Where should the puja room be placed in a north-facing house?
The ideal location for a mandir in the house is north-east. In such a case, try and ensure that you are facing the north or east, while praying. Always make sure that the puja room is not under the staircase or by the bathroom wall.
Where should the puja room be placed in a south-facing house?
Do not place the puja room in the south, because the direction is ruled by Yama, or the God of death. It is advisable that the roof of the puja room in your house should be in the shape of a triangle, to ensure a constant flow of positive energy.
Where should the puja room be placed in a west-facing house?
In a west-facing house, the puja room should be in the north-east of the house, as it is the most auspicious corner. It is important for you to balance all the five elements, if you live in a west-facing home.
FAQs
How to decorate wooden temple at home?
Decorate the temple with fresh flowers.
Where should we place temple in house?
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. You can also place the temple in the north-east direction.
Can we keep mandir in living room?
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.
Can we keep mandir in bedroom or kitchen?
Hang a curtain in front of the temple, when you are not using the temple.
(With inputs from Sneha Sharon Mammen)
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