Puja Room Vaastu — Direction, Placement and Do's and Don'ts

Best place for the puja room

The north-east (Ishanya) corner is traditionally the best place for the puja room or home mandir, as it is linked with Lord Shiva as Ishana and with water and purity. If the north-east is not possible, the east or north are the next choices. The centre of the house (Brahmasthana) is also considered sacred in larger homes. Traditionally the puja space is not placed in the bedroom, under a staircase or next to the toilet.

Which way to face

Most traditions recommend that you face east or north while praying, so the deities face west or south. Some families prefer the idols to face east. Both are widely followed — keep to your family's custom.

Arranging the mandir

• Place idols and pictures slightly away from the wall so air can circulate, and at a height where they are at or above your chest level when you sit or stand to pray.
• Keep idols small; very large idols are traditionally kept in temples rather than at home.
• Avoid broken or chipped idols and torn pictures; immerse or respectfully give them to a temple.
• The diya is traditionally placed on the south-east side of the mandir (the fire corner), and incense nearby.
• Keep a small kalash of water on the north-east side.
• Store puja items — books, bells, matchboxes, oil — in a cupboard below or beside the mandir, not above the idols.

Colours, light and materials

Light colours such as white, cream, light yellow and pale blue are preferred. Wood and marble are traditional materials for the mandir. Good daylight from the east is ideal; otherwise use warm, steady lighting.

In a small flat

A wall-mounted wooden mandir or a shelf in the north-east of the living room works well. If that wall is not available, choose a clean, quiet spot where you can sit comfortably, and keep it uncluttered. Devotion matters more than the direction.