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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.
East is the direction of the rising Sun and Lord Indra so praying facing east leads to good fortune and growth. Praying facing the west helps to attract wealth. Facing north helps attract opportunities and positivity. According to Vastu, facing the south when praying is not recommended.
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.
See also: Simple puja room designs for Indian homes
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. According to Vastu Shastra, a home should not have any God or Goddess’s idol that is more than nine inches in height. Avoid keeping in the temple at home Gods photos related to war, in which the form of God is angry. Always keep idols of God with gentle, peaceful and blessed posture for positive energy.
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. Use decorative tiles on the wall where the temple is being fixed, or make a small arch and then fix the temple to highlight it. 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. Place the mandir in the kitchen on the left or right side of the stove. Avoid keeping the stove opposite the temple, and never place the mandir above the gas stove or the kitchen sink as it can bring bad luck.
Dining room corner
You can convert an empty corner of the dining room into a pooja space by setting up a set of neat pedestals so that the idols are several inches above ground level. You can also place tiny lights above or below the idols to illuminate the region and also store pooja essentials. You can also install a tiny curtain for privacy and keeping the pooja room out of public view.
Use room divider for puja room
If the home temple is placed in the living room, dining area, bedroom or study, it is better to use a room divider and create a separate puja space. A simple curtain, a glass wall, an ornate plaster of Paris divider, or vertical garden room dividers can be used. A small wooden divider with shelves can also be used to keep puja accessories. Design it with religious symbols, etchings or stencil cuts on the screens, for a pleasing impact.
Open shelf corners
If you have open shelves, you can easily arrange a mini pooja space for placing the idols. For small homes, metal shelves built into a corner of the house make a trendy pooja area with different idols on each shelf and space for lamps and incense sticks too.
Wall niche
Create a small niche or alcove on a wall for a temple in a small home. Decorate the niche in lovely soothing colours and deck up the temple with soothing focus lights.
See also: Vastu tips for keeping Lord Ganesha at home
Dos and don’ts for decorating a temple at home
Placement of the puja room
If you have a duplex house, it is advisable to place the temple on the ground floor. 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. Never place the temple in the basement, as it is considered inauspicious.
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. Ensure that the idols are not placed in a cramped manner. The idol of Lord Ganesh should be placed on the left side of Goddess Lakshmi. The idols should be in the sitting position and should be kept on a ‘chowki’. According to Vastu, idols should not face each other.
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.
See also: Vastu Shastra tips main door
Lights/diya in a temple room
According to temple Vastu, lighting a diya wards off negative energies. Diyas should be placed on the right side of the person performing the puja. If one prefers to keep the diya lit for extended periods, then, it is safer to opt for diyas covered with glass. Whatever you light camphor, diya or incense sticks, consider fire safety precautions. According to Vastu, never place the diyas facing south, as it is said to drain wealth. Always use cotton wicks inside the diyas. Ensure that there are electric points near the temple, so that one can light up the temple during festive days. One can decorate the temple with battery-operated tea lights or fairy lights or a strip of LED lights or even have soothing backlight panels for the temple.
Flowers in puja room
Always use fresh flowers in a puja room. Avoid stale ones. According to Vastu, flowers should be removed in the late evenings from the temple, once they dry and wilt. Decorate the temple with fresh flowers, such as marigold, mogra, orchid and a toran of mango leaves. Datura flower is offered to Lord Shiva along with Bilva leaves or Bel Patra. Lotus is the favorite flower of goddess Lakshmi and red hibiscus is offered to Ma Kali and even Ganesha. Also, marigold along with Durva grass is used for Ganpati puja. Lord Krishna is offered Tulsi. White Palash or white flower is presented to Ma Saraswati.
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 only and change the water of the kalash daily. Ensure only those holy books are kept in the temple area which are read regularly. Do not keep torn books at all.
Colours to be used in a puja room
For the temple space, use white, beige, lavender or light yellow colours. Strictly avoid dark brown and black.
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. Place a red-coloured cloth below the photographs or other idols in the temple. As per Vastu, the sound of the bell keeps the negative energy away. A bell should be kept in home temples, on the left side. Adorn the floor with rangoli designs as it brings positive vibes and exudes joy. Draw Swastik and Om symbols on the north-east wall as it brings prosperity, according to Vastu. Do not make auspicious symbols in the rangoli design on the floor. If there is less space near the temple area, one can make rangoli on a ‘chowki’ and place it near the temple area.
How to decorate the home temple area wall and ceiling
The ceiling above the temple can be decorated with a POP design. A pendant light can highlight the shadows and designs, to add further depth to the temple space. One can adorn the ceiling with gold textured paint and hang bells. If space permits, decorate the wall on which the temple is fixed. Backlit panels are in trend. Sanskrit shlokas or a lotus pattern can be etched on a backlit board to enhance the divine aura. Another option is to have the wall designed with attractive wallpaper in auspicious yellow or orange colours.
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.
See also: Vastu Shastra tips for keeping bamboo plant
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. Never use black colour in the temple area, as it is strictly prohibited in Vastu. 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 |
| When praying, always use a chowki, mat or a carpet. |
How to place the idols in the temple?
According to Vastu, the faces of gods should not be covered with garlands and flowers. Always keep a solid statue of the god and avoid keeping hollow statues in the temple. Lord Ganesha must be placed on the left side of the goddess Lakshmi and goddess Saraswati must be placed on the right side of goddess Lakshmi. Shivling (only of a small size says Vastu) must be placed in the northern part of the home. Lord Hanuman’s idol should always face the south. The idols of gods that need to be kept in the north, facing the south direction are Ganesh, Durga, and Kuber. Surya, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, must be placed on the east facing the west.
Idols of Gods to be avoided in the temple at home
Natraj the Rudra form of Lord Shiva, is the angry incarnation of Lord Shiva. So, Natraj should not be kept in the house as it can lead to unrest in the house. Never keep two Shivlings in the temple.
The idol of Shani Dev should be avoided in the temple at home. One should worship him in the temple outside the house only. Keeping the idol of Rahu-Ketu in the house is considered inauspicious.
Puja thali items
Puja thali kept in the temple represents five cosmic elements earth, water, fire wind and sky Using a puja thali is one of the ways to worship the divine energies. The Puja thali can be made of silver, brass copper, meenakari embellishment or even steel. Always keep rice kumkum, turmeric (powder or whole pieces) Diya, and flowers. One can also keep sandalwood paste, betel leaves or betel nuts, Kalash and Prasad if possible or one can keep it separately.
See also: Vastu tips for the 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.
See also: How to improve the Vastu of a house without making structural changes?
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.
What should be the height of the temple at home?
The temple must be kept high, a few feet above the ground so that the idols placed should be at the level of the devotee’s chest. Place the deities at a height where one can comfortably pray in both ways sitting or standing. The height between the floor and the base of the mandir should range approximately between32-36 inches.
Tips to clean the temple at home
A clean temple at home gives a positive aura and also invites Goddess Lakshmi to ones home.
The brass idols and Kalash should be soaked in lukewarm water with some detergent. Then scrub lemon on it. One can also use some baking soda along with a lemon slice.
Copper utensils can be cleaned by using vinegar and salt.
Keep diyas clean by washing daily, remove then grease by scrubbing using a dishwashing liquid. To clean brass diya use tamarind water or vinegar to clean.
To ensure that silver idols shine use, toothpaste and gently scrub with a toothbrush. Boil water and soak silverware. Then add a sheet of aluminium foil pieces and a tablespoon of baking soda to the boiling water. Remove the silverware after 5 minutes. Scrub them wash and dry them.
Gently wipe the marble temple with warm water to which mild detergent has been added and then wipe with a dry cloth.
The glass frame of the photos can be cleaned with any glass cleaning spray and a soft cloth.
The wooden temple can be dusted with a cloth.
FAQs
Decorate the temple with fresh flowers. 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. 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. Hang a curtain in front of the temple, when you are not using the temple. Apart from the idols and photographs of deities, keep incense, bell, kumkum, fresh flowers, diya, kalash and religious books. It is considered auspicious to keep a conch in the temple at home. The sound of a conch shell played, brings positive energy throughout the house. As per Vastu, cow's ghee is best. One can also use sesame oil or mustard oil, to light diya at home for positive energy. Change the Kalash water daily kept in the temple. In the morning ideally offer it to Tulsi or any other plant. Use only a wooden chair or stool avoid plastic or metal chairs when praying. One can keep five peacocks feathers in the temple or the puja room. This will help to reduce the negative energy and help to also overcome Vastu defects. Betel leaves are considered auspicious and they signify prosperity and are used in puja rituals. Supari signifies the ego that must be surrendered on the altar of God, and one must be humble. It is said that betel nuts help in peace and harmony at home. Rice kept in Puja thali are called 'Akshat' which are unbroken white rice and are always kept with Kumkum in the temple at home. Rice symbolizes auspiciousness, prosperity, and fertility. It attracts positive energies.How to decorate wooden temple at home?
Where should we place temple in house?
Can we keep mandir in living room?
Can we keep mandir in bedroom or kitchen?
What should be kept in the mandir at home?
Can we keep shankh (conch) in the temple?
Which oil should be used to light a diya in the temple?
What should one do with water-filled in the Kalash kept in the temple?
If one cannot sit on the floor for puja ( due to knee issues)which chair is best?
Can I keep peacock feathers in the temple room?
Why are the betel leaves or betel nuts used in Puja?
Why is rice kept in the puja thali in the temple at home?
(With inputs from Sneha Sharon Mammen)
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