Many Indian households have a mandir at home but only a few people keep the direction in mind when installing a temple. According to Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian architectural design system, a mandir or a prayer space is not just a corner for religious rituals. It’s a high-energy zone that intertwines your inner world with the cosmos. And that’s why your puja room must be perfectly aligned with Vastu principles for peace and harmony at home.

We spoke to Mumbai-based Vastu consultant Isha Sinhal for tips on mandir placement at home. Here’s what she suggests.

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Vastu for mandir placement at home: Ideal directions for prayer spaces

Ishanya, the Northeast direction in Vastu Shastra, is considered the holiest and most spiritually charged zone for a mandir. Isha suggests making a puja space in this direction as Jupiter rules it and carries the purest satvik energy. Other Vastu-friendly directions for a mandir include the East, which brings clarity, focus, and sun-aligned growth. “The North direction is also ideal for enhancing intellectual clarity and attracting positive vibrations,” Isha says.

She recommends avoiding the Southwest as it’s heavy and grounding, which is better suited for bedrooms and storage spaces. “You must not place a mandir directly in front of a bathroom or under a staircase as it brings negative energy,” Isha explains.

Vastu tips for mandir in rented flats

Are you staying in a rented residential space where you can’t make many changes to fix the Vastu dosha of your puja room? Don’t worry, as Isha has got some useful tips to harmonise your prayer space without major interior changes. “If the Northeast isn’t available for a mandir, choose a clean corner in the East or North wall of your living room or bedroom,” Isha says.

You can also use a portable wooden mandir unit or a wall-mounted shelf at waist or chest height. But you must ensure that the mandir unit doesn’t hang on a nail. “It should be well-supported and rest on a firm shelf or platform,” Isha suggests. You must keep the mandir unit elevated, and it shouldn’t touch the floor. Also, you should ensure that the area is well-ventilated and not crammed between storage units. Energising your puja room regularly will boost harmony.

How to activate the prayer space at home

Keeping your mandir in the right direction is not the only way to bring peace at home. According to Isha, you must activate the space regularly to maintain the positive energy. Here’s how:

• Clean your puja room daily with fresh water or a soft cloth to maintain a healthy energy.
• Light a camphor or ghee diya regularly to purify the space.
• Use sandalwood, loban, or frankincense-based incense to uplift the vibration.
• Ring a bell or play soft chants to activate dormant energy and remove stagnancy.
• Avoid letting dust, dead flowers, or unused religious items accumulate.

Best materials and colours for mandir units

Today, everyone’s all about creating aesthetically pleasing prayer spaces. But are you sure that you’re using the right colour or material for mandir units? Isha suggests using teakwood or sheesham wood if you have a traditional mandir unit. If you want something modern, opt for white or off-white marble as it’s highly auspicious. Isha warns against using glass, metal-based units or black stone structures as they attract negativity.

According to the Vastu expert, you must paint your puja room walls in light, soothing colours. Hues of white, cream, pale yellow, or sandalwood are the most satvik colours and attract positivity. “Avoid dark or extra vibrant colours like red, black, or grey in the mandir area,” Isha says. People also use LED lights to decorate their prayer spaces, but does Vastu approve of it?

Vastu guidelines for storage and decoration in mandir at home

According to the Vastu consultant, you can use decorative LED lights in your puja room. But you must choose subtle colours like warm white or golden hues instead of harsh neon lights. Also, you shouldn’t use décor items like artificial flowers. “Use fresh flowers whenever possible. Even if you offer a single marigold or rose with sincerity, it holds more power,” Isha says. For storage purposes, drawers underneath mandir units are also acceptable. But Isha recommends storing only puja items in such cabinets, like incense, oil, matchboxes, etc. “Avoid storing unrelated items like documents, money, or tools,” Isha suggests.

You must avoid keeping broken idols or torn pictures of deities in the mandir at your home. “If any image or statue is chipped or damaged, it should be respectfully immersed or removed,” Isha recommends. You must also remove dusty or unused items like diya wicks, expired incense or dried garlands regularly. Replace them with the fresh ones in the desired quantity.

If you want to connect with Vastu consultant Isha Sinhal for more personalised Vastu-related advice, you can find her here.

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