"Vastu shastra" - Home design, planning and house building

Vaastu Shastra or Vastu deals with various aspects of designing and building living environments that are in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces. Building practices based on limited interpretations of these principles are still sustained in parts of India.

Vastu Shastra is a very old Indian science of Architecture developed by ancient Indian sages and rishis for the welfare of humanity. Vaastu Shastra provides principles and rules based on which the structure of a home or a temple is built. The same holds true to the planning of towns and colonies.

Vaastu is the study of the impact of the Sun's rays on the earth. According to Vaastu, there are 5 basic elements in the world (Panch Mahabhutas). They are the Earth, Water, Air, Fire (Heat & Light) and Sky (Cosmic). Vaastu is a science of balancing these elements in the proper proportions for prosperity and harmony.

The principles of vaastu are based on directions, which are permanent. Ventilation plays a very important role in Vaastu, good cross-ventilation therefore is necessary. Since vaastu is based on the properties of the earth and the sun, it is surely universal. Nationality, religion, caste etc. have nothing to do with the science of vaastu, it is equal for one and all.

Some of the important pieces of advise for modern day home planning and designing per Vaastu are below. Though not easily possible to include these architecture design features for the homes built in the USA, you can try to include as many as possible.

Bath Room:- Proper place for bath-room has been suggested in the east direction. The mild rays of the morning sun are beneficial for health. These rays can be received by the body while bathing, there fore bath room in the east is good.

Kitchen:- South-east corner is the place of the god of fire (Agni Dev), therefore, the kitchen wherein fire has an important role, must be built in this corner. The Kitchen should never be built in the north-east, South-west or in the centre of north, south or west side.

Bed Room:- The Master bedroom should be in the south- south-west direction. Bed-rooms for unmarried children can be built on the east side and for unmarried youths or for guests, the bed room in north-west is good.

Dining Room:- Best place for the dining room is in the west. Nowadays, the dining room is adjusted with the kitchen or drawing room. In that case this room may be used for other purposes. The Dining table should be arranged in the South-west or north-west portion of the room. Water arrangement should be in the north-east corner and fridge etc. (electrical appliances, if any) should be kept in south-east corner. Persons should face towards the east or north while taking meals.

Pooja Room:- The North-east corner is governed by Eeshwar (God); Hence the Pooja room should be built in this corner. This corner should not be used for the bedroom, kitchen or any other room, and no other articles should be placed in the pooja room. There should not be any toilet or kitchen above, below or adjacent to the pooja room.

Toilet:- The place between south and south west is suggested for the toilet. It can also be built in the north-west.

Study Room:- The best place for the study room is between the west and south-west. The person should sit facing the north or east while studying. The study table should not be placed touching the walls. The Book-shelf should be placed along the north-east corner only.