Vaasthu:

What is Vaastu Shastra?
Vaastu Shastra is the Vedic system of Architecture & Design. Vaastu Vidyaa is one of the sixty-four identified ancient Indian Arts. Vaastu Shastra was given by the sages for betterment and welfare of society. It is believed that affliction of Vaastu creates sorrows and disappointments. Vaastu Shastra i.e. science or "shastra" of structures, tells us how to build a house or office for greater happiness and prosperity. Houses, villages, towns and cities should be designed according to the principles of Vaastu.

What are the basic principles of Vaastu Shastra?
The basic principles of Vaastu are Vaastu Purush Mandala i.e. a man lying with his head-pointing North-East, in a grid of 64 squares dedicated to different Gods. It is believed that the world comprises of five basic and essential elements known as SPACE, AIR, FIRE, WATER & EARTH.

What would constitute an ideal plot?
•Square Plot : is the best shape of a plot in which all four sides are straight and equal in length and it has equal angle of 90 degree at all four corners.

•Rectangular Plot: having its length not more that double the breadth (length and breadth not more that 1:2) is a very good plot. A rectangular plot has four straight sides and equal angles of 90 degree at all corners with opposite sides of equal length.

How does one determined direction of the plot?
Direction of a plot can be determined by any of the two modern simple methods by using a compass, the device for finding direction which has a freely moving needle which always points to the magnetic North. Make two lines crossing each other dividing a paper in four equal parts at 90-degree angle. Place a compass on paper in the middle of your plot and align it with two lines in the North and the South of the needle of the compass. Extend these lines on the plot and mark it to have exact direction.

What would constitute an ideal plot?
A plot is square if all four sides are straight and equal in length and it has equal angle of 90 degree at all four corners. Square is the best shape of a plot. A plot is rectangular if it has four straight sides and equal angles of 90 degree at all corners with opposite sides of equal length. A rectangular plot having its length not more that double the breadth (length and breadth not more that 1:2) is a very good plot.

What should be the proportion of the dimensions of a house?
The proportion between length and breadth should be 1:1 but it should not exceed 1:2 ratio.

How does one determined direction of the plot?
Direction of a plot can be determined by any of the two modern simple methods by using a compass, the device for finding direction which has a freely moving needle which always points to the magnetic North. Make two lines crossing each other dividing a paper in four equal parts at 90-degree angle. Place a compass on paper in the middle of your plot and align it with two lines in the North and the South of the needle of the compass. Extend these lines on the plot and mark it to have exact direction.

What should be the proportion of the dimensions of a house?
The proportion between length and breadth should be 1:1 but it should not exceed 1:2 ratio. The size of length, breadth of a house, affect the fortune of the person who lives in it.

Which are the ideal locations for various rooms in a home ?
•Drawing room: (Northeast or the North or the East) It must nor be located in the Southwest portion of the house. More vacant space should be given in the Northeast corner of the drawing room. The door is preferable on the East towards the Northeast side.

•Kitchen: (Southeast) The presiding deity of the Southeast is Agni, the God of fire; hence kitchen may be located the southeast corner of the house. Location of the kitchen has health implications.

•study room: (North or East or Northeast) These directions attract the positive effects of Mercury increasing brain power, Jupiter increasing wisdom, Sun increasing ambition and Venus helps in bringing about creativity in new thoughts and ideas. Books may be kept in the Southwest side of the room. Study room may have door on the East or the North, or the Northeast

•Bedrooms: (Southwest) Bedrooms located in the South direction and will be congenial for comfortable living. The Master bedroom may be on the upper storey, if any, in the Southwest portion of the house. Correct direction while sleeping brings mental peace, good thoughts and spirituality. One may sleep with legs towards the West and head towards the East. One should never sleep having head towards the North Pole and legs towards the South Pole.

•kid's room: (Northwest or West) To have a better concentration they should have a separate study close to their bedrooms.

•Bathroom: (East) Attached bathroom may preferably be in the North, or the East of a bedroom. Shower, bathing tub and wash basin in the bathroom may be in the Northeast, or the North or the East direction. One may have bath in the North or the East area in the bathroom. Bathroom should never be constructed in the center or in the southwest corner of the house.

•Storeroom: (Northwest or Southwest) It is very beneficial if grains and other provisions are stored in the Northwest store. All heavy things may be stored in the Southwest of the storeroom. Garbage may be collected in the Southern side portion of the house.