In Indian culture, a pooja room or mandir holds great significance as it is the area where idols of deities and religious texts are kept, and the entire family prays and worships together. The mandir is a sacred place and a source of positive energies.
Vastu Shastra lays down rules related to the construction of a house and placement of the rooms, including the best direction for a temple in home. Each direction has some significance and cosmic energy. For instance, north is the direction of wealth and success, while the south is the direction of health and longevity.
The best direction for placing the mandir or temple at home is the northeast direction or Ishan kona, considered auspicious according to Vastu Shastra. This direction is associated with Lord Ishana, a Hindu deity, and is considered the direction of knowledge and wisdom. Placing the mandir in this direction brings good health and prosperity while inviting positivity.
See also: Pooja Space in Living Room: All you Need to Know
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. Following mandir direction as per vastu will have a positive impact.,” adds Parmar.
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Mandir direction in home: Quick facts
| Best direction for mandir | Northeast, centre of the house, east and north |
| Direction to avoid | South, Southeast |
| Best location for mandir | Pooja room or living room |
| Best floor in the house | Ground floor |
| Location to avoid for mandir | Basement, under a staircase, in front of the main door, near bathroom |
| Direction to face while worshipping | East, west or north |
| Which direction should god face? | West |
| Things to keep in a pooja room | Lamps, flowers, idols or pictures of deities, incense sticks and holy books |
| Things to avoid in the pooja room | Animal skin or leather items and money |
| Best colours for mandir | White, orange, cream, light yellow, light blue, lavender and beige |
| Colours to avoid | Black and dark brown |
| Best material for mandir design | Wood and natural stone like marble and granite |
| Height for mandir | Around 32 to 36 inch |
Mandir direction in home: Vastu tips for temple
know about: mdf jali design for mandir
Which direction should a mandir in home face?
| Direction | Ruled by | Significance |
| Northeast | Jupiter | Placing the temple in this direction known as Ishan Kona is considered auspicious. |
| Centre of the house | Brahmasthan | Bring prosperity and good health for the inmates |
| East | Sun and Lord Indra | Brings prosperity and wealth |
| North | Kuber | Brings wealth |
According to Jayshree Dhamani, a Vastu Shastra and astrology expert, 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 mandir face direction in home is also like that – it pulls the energies of the entire house towards it and then takes it forward.
See also: Simple puja room designs for Indian homes
Which direction should god face in home pooja room?
According to the pooja room Vastu, the idols of gods can face the west so that you face east direction when worshipping.
- 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 and Bhairav idol in the temple or pooja room, as per Vastu, should always face the south direction.
- The idols of gods that need to be kept in the north, facing the south direction are Ganesh, Durga, and Kuber.
- Lord Kartikeya and Durga idols can be placed facing east direction.
- Surya, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, must be placed on the east facing the west.
See also: Varamahalakshmi decoration ideas at home
Tips to follow when placing idols or photos in pooja room
- Further, the face of gods idols should not be covered with garlands and flowers.
- Always keep a solid statue of the god and avoid keeping hollow statues in the temple.
- One should avoid large idols in the home temple. Vastu recommends idols of only nine fingers as they are considered auspicious.
- Keep small idols as per pooja room Vastu for home. Ideally, the idols can be seven inches in size.
- The temple must be placed high, such that the feet of the idols placed should be at the level of the devotee’s chest.
- 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 the pooja room vastu, idols should not face each other.
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Idols of gods to be avoided in the temple at home
- Natraj, the angry incarnation or Rudra form of Lord Shiva, should not be kept in the house as it can lead to unrest in the house.
- Do not 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.
- Do not place statues or images of ancestors, war and death in the pooja room.
- Avoid broken idols or an damaged picture in the pooja area.
Direction you should face in Mandir while worshipping
| Direction | Benefits |
| East | Good fortune and weath |
| West | Attracts wealth |
| North | Attract opportunities and positivity |
When building a home temple, you must align the structure in a way that the gods face the recommended Vastu direction such as east or west, so that the person worshipping faces west or east while praying. When worshipping idols in mandir or devghar, avoid facing south direction because as per Vastu, it is not considered auspicious.
Sitting in the north or east direction for worshiping is favourable as it brings peace of mind and concentration, as per Vastu Shastra. Many believe facing auspicious direction for praying and worshiping fulfils wishes.
Know about: pooja unit designs
Significance of mandir direction and location as per Vastu
According to Vastu Shastra, the cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) have a vital role to play. Besides the direction, the five elements of nature – earth, wind, fire, etc. are also significant. Each direction is associated with specific characteristics. Thus, considering the right direction is important as it would generate auspicious energies and vibrations in the house.
Construction of any structure in accordance with Vastu requires a thorough understanding of favourable directions. In ancient times, people used to follow the sun’s shadow for directions, but in modern times, a magnetic compass is useful for verifying navigational directions. There are ten directions. However, according to Vastu Shastra, only eight directions are shown in a magnetic compass.
Northeast, which is the ideal direction for a mandir, should not be used for designing a kitchen. Avoid a bathroom in the northeast direction as it can lead to health and financial problems.
Mandir location as per Vastu
- Place idols of gods on a raised platform or pedestal
- You can choose any space in the living or create a dedicated pooja room
- When placing a temple in the kitchen, reserve the north-east corner for it.
Ground floor is the best location for mandir in home
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. A small temple can be designed in the upper floors like the bedroom or kitchen. However, if there is a separate pooja room in the house, it should be in the ground floor.
The mandir can also be designed in the hallway or foyer area of a house. In earlier days, mandirs were constructed in the ‘aangan’ or front verandah of houses. Make sure to keep this area clean and avoid items such as shoe racks.
Pooja room in bedroom
If there is no space available in the living and you wish to design a pooja mandir in your bedroom, make sure to follow the Vastu guidelines. Install the mandir in the northeast corner of the room. While sleeping, make sure your feet does not point towards the mandir.
In case of a multistorey or duplex house, place the main mandir unit on the ground floor. You can install mini puja units in the bedroom.
Which god photo can be kept in bedroom?
According to Vastu experts, idols, paintings or photos of Radha Krishna idols can be kept in bedroom as it boosts marital relationships. One can place paintings based on religious themes in the bedroom to promote calmness and spirituality. Consider auspicious colours for the bedroom mandir area such as orange, yellow, pink, green, etc.
Mandir location to avoid
- Basement
- Under a staircase
- In front of the main door
- Next to a toilet or any wall behind it
- Below a toilet on the upper floor
Mandir direction to avoid in home
According to Vastu Shastra, one should avoid constructing or placing a mandir in the south direction as it is not considered auspicious as per Vastu. One should also avoid placing idols or photos of deities in the south direction and it would make the person worshipping face south, which is not recommended in Vastu.
Mandir in southeast direction
According to Vastu Shastra, one should avoid placing a mandir in the southeast direction as it is considered inauspicious. This direction, which is associated with the fire element, is recommended for designing kitchens and not pooja room.
Northwest direction for mandir
The northwest corner is associated with the air element and planet moon. This area is ideal for keeping lightweight items. Heavy objects, such as heavy cabinets, cupboards, etc., must be avoided in this direction. As per Vastu Shastra, one should avoid designing a mandir in the northwest direction.
Mandir direction as per Vastu: Dos and dont’s
| 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 instead of dark colours to design the pooja room | Do not keep idols that are broken or have lost their colour |
| When praying, always use a chowki, mat or a carpet. | Avoid placing a mandir in your bedroom |
| The roof of the temple should be domed. It should not be flat. | The idols of the gods should always be at a height and avoid designing a temple on the ground. |
| Place oil lamps or diyas in east or north to attract good health and wealth. | Lamps should not face or be kept in the south direction as it can cause loss of wealth. |
| Keep the holy books and dharmic granths on the west and south wall. | Do not keep torn books. Ensure only those holy books are kept in the temple area which are read regularly. |
| Place idols, statues and pictures of god in the Vastu recommended directions | Avoid photographs of your family members/ancestors who have passed away as it can lead to imbalance in the energy. |
| Always use cotton wicks inside the diyas. Keep diyas clean. | Avoid wicks that are jumbled up |
| Use fresh flowers to decorate idols and worship them | Avoid stale flowers. Remove them in the late evenings once they dry and wilt. |
| Light incense sticks to create a calm environment and positive flow of energies |
See also: Vastu tips for the bedroom
Best direction for mandir in home as per Vastu
Simple remedies for Vastu dosh
- Ensure that the idols do not face each other.
- Keep the idols raised – even a simple bench would do.
- Place the idol at least a few inches 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?
When it comes to identifying the right direction for mandir, use a compass and stand in the centre of the house to identify the different directions. The house entrance is the point from where the positive energies enter the house. As per Vastu, a house should not have a southwest facing door as it can bring in negative energies and misfortune. One Vastu remedy for this defect can be placing two images of lord Hanuman on the tiles outside the door.
How should a temple at home be constructed?
“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 is considered inauspicious,” suggests Parmar.
According to pooja room Vastu , a home should not have any idol that is more than nine inches in height. Avoid keeping in the temple at home 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.
During special pujas, the entire family tends to pray together in the house pooja room. Hence, ensure that there is enough space for the family to sit down and pray. The temple area should have a 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.
Northeast 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, according to pooja room vastu.
See also: Vastu tips for positive energy at home
- 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, as per pooja room vastu. In such cases, the idol should not be facing the door directly.
- When designing a pooja unit, make sure its doors and windows open in the north or east direction. Place the pooja unit in an open and well-ventilated area that enable the doors to open completely. Thus, Jaali designs are an ideal option.
Design the pooja space with auspicious symbols such as Swastik and Om and rangoli designs. Keep the temple bell on the left side and agni kund in southeast direction. Fire offerings must be made facing east direction while the lamp should be in southeast corner.
See also: Vastu Shastra tips main door
Materials
- Wood is an excellent material you can choose when designing a mandir at home are wood.
- You can also combine these with materials such as glass to give your home temple a bright and appealing look.
- Pick natural materials like stone.
- Marble and granite are good choices.
- Lighter shades of tiles such as light green or yellow which work well and create a positive ambience.
- Do not use animal skin in the temple premises.
- Choose a puja thali made of made of silver, brass, copper or steel.
Walls and ceiling design
According to the modern design trends for home temple, you can go for ornamented POP ceiling designs. Opt for pendant lights and backlit panels for lighting. You may also opt for attractive wallpaper designs for the pooja room in auspicious colours such as yellow and orange.
Things to avoid in the pooja room
Avoid impure items in the puja room. Leather is one 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
Temple direction in home in an east-facing house?
The pooja room in an east facing house as per Vastu plan should be designed in a way that a person faces the Vastu recommended directions while praying.
As per vastu, temple direction in home, 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. As per pooja room Vastu principles for east facing house, facing these directions and praying is regarded ideal and it brings positivity in the house. Ensure that the room is not adjacent to the bathroom or staircase.
Mandir direction for north facing house as per Vastu
For a north facing house, the ideal direction for the living room and the pooja room is the northeast. You can go for a wall mandir unit or create a partition in the room to create a designated pooja space.
Mandir direction for homes with southern exposure
According to Vastu, the mandir should not be placed towards the south direction, which is associated with Yama, the Lord of death. Identify the northeast direction and design the mandir in this location. Choose the room’s ceiling in the form of a triangle.
Vastu for pooja room in office
When designing an office, the mandir must be placed as per Vastu guidelines. Make sure to keep clearly figured god’s idols, water in a jug, and water for daily consumption. The right mandir position as per Vastu is the north or north-east corner of the room.
Position the diyas facing north, east or west. Avoid south as it is considered inauspicious and leads to loss of wealth. Moreover, the pooja room should not be designed under a staircase or near the washroom area.
Puja room storage design as per Vastu
Storage cabinets in the pooja room should always face towards southeast direction. Make sure there is no obstruction for the sunlight to enter.
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 and change the water of the kalash daily.
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.
- Create a puja corner in entertainment unit in the living room.
- Customise a kitchen cabinet to make it work like a small mandir. Place the mandir in the kitchen on the left or right side of the stove. Never place the mandir above the gas stove or the kitchen sink as it can bring bad luck.
- You can convert an empty corner of the dining room into a pooja space by designing pedestals.
- Create a pooja corner by using a simple curtain, a glass wall, an ornate plaster of Paris divider, or vertical garden room dividers.
- Convert a small niche or alcove on a wall for a temple in a small home
- Metal shelves built into a corner of the house make a trendy pooja area.
See also: How to remove negativity from home
See also: Vastu tips for keeping Lord Ganesha at home
Which god can you place on main door?
One can place auspicious symbols and images of gods or goddesses such as Ganesha and Lakshmi on the main door entrance of the house. This will attract good luck and prosperity.
Best colours for a puja room as per Vastu
- White
- Light blue
- Beige
- Lavender
- Orange
- Cream
- Light yellow
Colours to avoid
- Black
- Dark brown
See also: Pooja Room Designs in Wood for your Home
See also: How to choose the right colours for your home, based on Vastu
What should be the height of the temple at home?
Along with the right home temple direction, 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.
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.
Keeping mandir clean to promote positive energy
When should we clean mandir at home?
The mandir area at home should be clean and clutter-free, which promotes the flow of positive energies. If not maintained regularly, grime may accumulate in the space. Thus, it is essential to clean the mandir area every day.
How to clean mandir at home?
If the mandir is designed from wood or marble, you can clean it with a bowl of water, soap and a scrub or cloth.
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When designing a pooja room or a small Mandir in your living room, it is essential that the space is designed in a Vastu-compliant manner to invite positive energies and create a peaceful ambience. Besides the right mandir direction in home, it is also necessary to place the other elements according to the Vastu-recommended direction.
FAQs
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.
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. 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?
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?
Which material must be used to store water in the pooja room?
Copper kalash is considered ideal for keeping water in the pooja room. Make sure to change the water in the vessel daily.
Can mandir be placed in front of the main door?
According to Vastu Shastra, one should avoid placing a mandir in front of the main door of the house. However, if there is no option available but to place a home mandir in front of the entrance, make sure to add a partition or curtain in the mandir when not used.
Is south east direction good for pooja?
The south direction is ruled by Yama, also known as the God of Death and Vastu does not recommend designing a pooja room in this direction.
Can you place idols directly in front of the walls?
Avoid placing idols of deities leaning against the walls in the mandir or pooja room at home, as per Vastu Shastra guidelines. Keep a minimum gap of one inch and half between the idols and the wall. This arrangement allows the energies and the incense to flow smoothly and spread across the room.
Can god idols face south?
Some idols, such as Lord Hanuman’s and Bhairav can be placed facing the south direction. However, one should never place the idol facing the north direction as the person worshipping will face the south direction, which is not recommended as per Vastu.
Can Lord Shiva face south?
Dakshinamurthy, a form of Lord Shiva, can be placed facing the south direction.
Which god photo to keep in living room?
You can place auspicious paintings of gods such as Lord Ganesha or Radha Krishna in the living room.
What is the best direction to place Lord Ganesh photo or idol in the pooja room?
Place the Ganesh photo or idol on the left side of Goddess Lakshmi.
Can a temple face south?
Avoid positioning the mandir facing towards the south direction. According to Vastu rules, a mandir must be placed in a way that the person worshipping is facing towards east, west or north direction.
Is it OK to keep mandir in balcony?
A mandir can be placed in the balcony. However, make sure that the mandir is covered. Make sure to follow Vastu tips for mandir direction and other guidelines when installing the temple. Installing a mandir in an east facing balcony is considered favourable.
What are the five things to keep in a pooja room?
The five essential things to keep in a pooja room are idols or pictures of deities, diyas or lamps, flowers, incense sticks and holy books.
(With inputs from Sneha Sharon Mammen)
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Harini is a content management professional with over 12 years of experience. She has contributed articles for various domains, including real estate, finance, health and travel insurance and e-governance. She has in-depth experience in writing well-researched articles on property trends, infrastructure, taxation, real estate projects and related topics. A Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics, Harini prefers reading motivational books and keeping abreast of the latest developments in the real estate sector.
