Pooja room Vastu: Know the best direction for Mandir at home

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 energy.

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 associated with it. Mandir placement in a Vastu-compliant way ensures alignment with the cosmic energies and promotes spiritual growth.

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, according to Vastu. In this article, we will share more Vastu guidelines on mandir direction and placement.

 

Mandir direction and Vastu guidelines

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

 

Which direction should a mandir in the home face?

Northeast as the most auspicious direction

Placing the temple in the northeast direction known as Ishan Kona is considered auspicious. The direction is ruled by Planet Jupiter and placing the mandir in this direction promotes a positive and harmonious environment.

As per Vastu, the northeast direction is associated with Lord Shiva and symbolises purity and spirituality. Moreover, this corner denotes water – one of the five elements of nature – and symbolises harmony.

Scientifically, the northeast corner receives first rays of the sun and gets energised. Hence, it is a perfect location for prayers and meditation.

Centre of the house, the sacred space

The centre of the house is known as the Brahmasthan. It is an area with strongest energies. According to Vastu, placing the mandir in this direction brings prosperity and good health to the occupants. Alternatively, one can design a small puja area or a space for performing rituals.

East is an alternative direction for mandir placement

Ruled by the Sun and Lord Indra, the east is another favourable direction for placing the mandir at home. Mandir placement in the east brings prosperity and wealth.

North, the wealth corner

The placement of the mandir at home in the north direction, ruled by the god of wealth Kuber, is believed to bring wealth.

West as a practical consideration

The west direction, ruled by Varuna, can be considered for placing a mandir in case other directions are not available.

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.

How to find mandir direction?

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.

Mandir direction to avoid

South

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.

Southeast

The southeast direction is related to the fire element, ruled by the lord of fire or Agni. The direction is also associated with the planet Venus. Hence, it is best suited for designing a kitchen. One should avoid placing a home temple in the southeast direction. According to Vastu, designing a pooja room in the southeast direction can lead to financial difficulties. However, some experts suggest the southeast is an ideal place for worshipping some deities, such as the goddess Durga. This direction is also suitable for placing diyas, lamps and Agni Kund (fire pit).

Southwest

Southwest direction, also known as Nairutya corner, is associated with the earth element and planet Rahu. While this direction represents stability, it is not considered favourable for a pooja room or spiritual activities as it will disrupt the energy flow.

See also: Simple puja room designs for Indian homes

 

Which direction should gods face in a home pooja room? 

Idols of gods should face east or west in the pooja room so that the person worshipping faces east or west. However, east is considered as the ideal direction for gods to face in a pooja room.

Can god face north direction?

No. While idols of gods can be placed in the northeast direction, they should not face the north direction, as this way the person worshipping will face the south direction, which is considered inauspicious.

Can gods face south direction?

One should avoid placing idols of deities facing the south direction as per Vastu because it can result in instability and negative energies. 

However, certain directions are recommended in Vastu for specific deities.

• 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.

 

Tips to follow when placing idols or photos in pooja room

Central focus with principal idol 

Typically, any mandir or home temple has a primary idol or murti of the main deity one worship. This denotes the central focus of worship in the mandir, signifying the divine presence and ensuring harmonious energy flow. According to Vastu, one should place the primary idol at the centre or back of the temple, facing east or north.

Multiple idols

Avoid multiple idols of the same god or goddess, either in a seated or standing position in the temple. The idols should not face each other to prevent any clash of energies between the deities and maintain their individuality.

Visibility

Do not cover the face of gods idols with garlands and flowers. Avoid placing the idols in a cramped manner.

Height and placement of idols

• The temple must be placed high, such that the feet of the idols placed should be at the level of the devotee’s chest.
• 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 idol of Lord Ganesh should be placed on the left side of Goddess Lakshmi.
• The idols should be in sitting position and should be kept on a ‘chowki’. 

See also: Know about South west extended plot Vastu

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 wealth
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.

 

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.

If one does not have an entire room for the mandir, install a small altar on the east wall, towards the northeast corner of 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.

Which is the right mandir location as per Vastu?

• Living room: You can choose any space in the northeast corner of the living room.
• Dedicated pooja room: In a spacious house, one can convert a spare room into a dedicated pooja room.
• Altar: Place idols of gods on a raised platform or pedestal.
• Kitchen: 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.

Creating pooja room in balcony

Generally, Vastu does not recommend placing a mandir on the balcony. However, if one has to create a pooja space in the balcony, make sure it is covered with roof. Installing a mandir in an east-facing balcony is considered favourable.

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

 

What is the best mandir size for a home?

The ideal pooja room must be minimum 5×7 foot in size. This will enable at least two to three people to sit and pray. The door must open towards the outside so that the opening or closing of the door so that it does not affect any person sitting near the door inside the small pooja room. The pooja room steps must be in odd numbers, not ending in zero, that is, 3, 9, 11, 15, 21, etc.

The temple must be built at a height, 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 between 32-36 inches.

 

Pooja room and their effects in different zones  

Direction	Suitable for	Vastu impact
Northeast	It is considered the Lord Shiva’s zone and ideal for worshipping most of the deities.	Brings positive energies, mental clarity and prosperity.
West-north-west	This zone is ideal for Yakshini puja.	Performing other kinds of puja can lead to adverse effects.
East-north-east	This zone is ideal for worshipping Radha Krishna.	Worshipping the deities in this direction helps one to deal with stress.
East	This direction is ideal for Ram Darbar placement.	Worshipping the deities in this direction brings success.
East-south-east	This zone may be suitable for stockbrokers.	This zone may cause anxiety and restlessness.
Southeast	Worship in this zone is considered inauspicious.	It may cause financial issues or health risks.
South-south-east	One can worship Hanuman in this zone.	It gives energy, strength and confidence.
South	This zone is recommended for meditation and Goddess Kali worship, as per Vastu.	Worshipping other gods or goddesses in this zone is not recommended.
Southwest	This direction is the Pitra zone and suitable for performing any rites for the family’s ancestors.	Worshipping in this zone may cause cash flow issues or business and family issues.
West-south-west	This zone is ideal for Goddess Saraswati. It is suitable for consultants, students and people of high intellect jobs.	Worshipping in this zone brings knowledge and wisdom.
West	This zone is considered the domain of Gurus and mother earth.	Worshipping in this zone brings abundance and financial gains.
North-west	This area is related to family’s deceased ancestors	Worshipping gods or goddesses in this zone is not recommended.
North	This zone is considered ideal for worshipping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.	Worshipping in this zone brings financial prosperity.
South-south-west zone	This zone is not recommended for worshipping deities.	Worshipping gods or goddesses in this zone can lead to losses.

 

Dos and don’ts when selecting mandir direction as per Vastu

Know this	Avoid this
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

 

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See also: Vastu tips for the bedroom

 

Best direction for mandir in home as per Vastu

 

 

Simple remedies for Vastu dosh

Vastu remedies for incorrectly designed pooja room

If the pooja room is not built in a Vastu-complaint way, such as a southwest pooja room or the presence of toilet near it, can cause major problems. Keeping deities in a southwest mandir, except Lord Vishwakarma, can lead to financial losses or challenges in business.  

• To rectify this defect, one should keep a Rahu yantra in the house.
• Place a glass of water with salt inside in the southwest corner.
• Vastu pyramids must be kept in this corner
• A red cloth should be placed in southwest direction.
• Lighting candles and lamps in southeast corner in front of idols will remove the negative energies.
• Allow a small space behind the idols the mandir to ensure free flow of positive energies
• Another effective Vastu remedy is by placing a partition between the mandir and the south direction. This will help prevent the negative energies from flowing to the mandir area.
• If not a partition, you can also place yellow or white coloured curtains to segregate the pooja area and enhance its spiritual energies.
• If the pooja room is not in the ideal northeast direction, then place a crystal pyramid in the northeast corner to remove the negative Vastu dosha.
• Keep a brass Vastu plate under the mandir to rectify the Vastu dosha of incorrect mandir design.

See also: How to improve the Vastu of a house without making structural changes?

Vastu remedies for south mandir

• Use a mirror to rectify Vastu defects. Place the mirror on the south wall, which will help reflect the positive energies in the room.
• Place a yellow-coloured carpet in the room or a yellow mat in front of the mandir. This will help remove the negative effects of a south mandir placement.
• Brass or copper accessories such as lamps, pooja thali, etc. can also be placed.

 

Vastu remedies for southeast mandir

• Place a copper yantra to remove the Vastu defect of a mandir in the southeast direction.
• Keep silver accessories in the mandir to nullify the negative effects.
• Make offerings to the fire while facing east.
• Keep the mandir area illuminated by installing suitable lighting

See also: Vastu tips for positive energy at home

 

Choose auspicious 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.
• Do not use animal skin in the temple premises.
• You can choose ornamented POP ceiling designs with pendant lights and backlit panels for lighting.
• Avoid home mandir made from glass or acrylic.

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.
• Avoid keeping in the temple at home photos related to war, in which the form of god is angry.

See also: Vastu Shastra tips for keeping bamboo plant

 

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.

The idols can be placed facing west so that the person worshipping faces the east direction.

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.

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Space-saving mandir design for small flats

Having a dedicated mandir in a small apartment can be challenging. However, make sure to create a small mandir in the northeast. If this direction is not available, consider east or north direction.

• Choose a wall-mounted mandir unit, which works best as it floor space is not utilised
• Alternatively, a foldable mandir cabinet is an excellent idea. The doors can be opened for worshipping and kept closed at other times.
• You can also create a puja corner in entertainment unit in the living room.
• Another idea is to customise the kitchen cabinet into 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 in the living room 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.

Additional tips for mandir design in small apartments

• Placing mandir close to entertainment units such as TVs or speakers as it can disrupt the energy flow.
• Do not position the mandir close to heavy furniture as it can block or overshadow the mandir.
• Storage puja items in vertical shelves and avoid cluttering the mandir space.

See also: How to remove negativity from home

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See also: Vastu tips for keeping Lord Ganesha at home

 

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: How to choose the right colours for your home, based on Vastu

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Tips to promote positive energy near mandir

• Avoid clutter: Keep the mandir area clean and clutter-free. Do not overcrowd the mandir with too many idols of gods or religious items.
• Create storage spaces: Organise things using proper storage cabinets. Do not store superfluous objects beneath the temple area and avoid keeping anything on top of the idols.
• Place idols with devotion: When placing idols of deities in the mandir, make sure to place them with complete devotion and reverence. It signifies that you are welcoming the divine into your house.
• Incorporate fragrances: Light incense or fragrant oils to remove negative energies. Use fragrances of sandalwood, jasmine or basil to spread positive energies.
• Keep fresh flowers and fruits: Offer fresh fruits and flowers to the deities while worshipping. This helps make the puja room serene and welcoming.
• Choose bright lighting: Lighting diyas or candles or modern-style diffused lighting helps eliminate negative energies around the mandir and spreads positivity.
• Design rangoli: Design rangoli near pooja mandir, especially during festivals, as it is considered auspicious. Rangoli colours boost the calming effect as each colour has a specific frequency.
• Place bells: The auspicious sound of bells is used to welcome the deity and generate positive vibrations. It helps activate the seven chakras in the human body and creates a perfect atmosphere for healing and meditation.
• Use red cloth: Red is considered a sacred colour and is said to bring good luck and prosperity. Choose a red cloth in the mandir to cover the idols of gods. Make sure to keep the cloth clean and well-maintained.
• Creating seating spaces: Choosing furniture with auspicious materials, including wooden or upholstered chairs and cushions.
• Pyramid-style design: Consider a pyramid-structured ceiling that looks like the gopura of a temple. The pyramid shape is known to attract positive energy.

 

Housing.com News Viewpoint 

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.

Additional tips: The mandir should be designed as the first step after entering the house and before performing the Griha Pravesh puja. Before placing the mandir, make sure the area is cleaned and decorated with flowers and lights.

 

Can we keep shankh (conch) in the temple?

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.

Which oil should be used to light a diya in the temple?

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.

What should one do with water-filled in the Kalash kept in the temple?

Change the Kalash water daily kept in the temple. In the morning ideally offer it to Tulsi or any other plant.

Can I keep peacock feathers in the temple room?

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.

Why are the betel leaves or betel nuts used in Puja?

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.

Why is rice kept in the puja thali in the temple 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.

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.

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.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com