Vastu

We remember a few years back it was with some trepidation that I had gone to see the movie ‘Vaastu Shastra’. Since I was investing in my first home I had imagined the movie plot to have some thrust on vastu and because of which the hero had to fight evil!! Alas! The movie had no such signs. However, the name spurred me to find out a few essential vastu elements for our homes.

You may ask, why is vastu so important? I don’t believe in vastu, so why should I invest in a vastu compliant property  Vastu in the simplest words, is the science of direction that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with man and materials. It is a subtle way of bringing in harmony and channelizing energies around you.  And for the latter, think about it, you might not be a vastu believer, but to increase the worth of property, whether you resell or you rent, your successor, might be a believer. Why not give your investor that benefit?

Vastu Shastra is often considered very complex and lot of investors . These are few aspects that answer most of the questions I have been asked frequently.

1. What is the great hullaballoo about the direction of the entrance about?

The door to the house is considered the most important feature of a house for many reasons. For one, it gives the first impression about your residence; moreover it is the point from where your home begins. According to Vastu the main entrance should be the path from where positive energy flows into the house. Keeping this in mind it is advisable if the entrance to the house is from the East, North and North East.

2. How should the rooms be designed?

According to the vastu doctrine, the bathroom should be on the East, the kitchen in the Southeast or the Northwest side with the cook facing either, East or North. It’s generally better if fire or the heat generating elements are placed on the Southeast side.

The master bedroom should preferably be in the South/Southwest direction with the dining room/eating area placed in the West.

3. And what do the walls speak of?

Have the major walls painted in lighter hues, as these shades promote relaxation, harmony and peace. You would have experienced tension in a dark room, or some chill running down your spine, if the room is painted red. On the other hand, red is a good colour for eateries, as it is exciting and makes us hungry. So keep the purpose in mind. Even when going in for concept walls, choose the wall colour to be maximum two shades darker than the base tone. It is not only vastu compliant, but also more aesthetic.

Our house is our refuge, our haven, it should be a place where you should want to calm your senses, hence dark colours are best avoided inside.

4. The importance of square/rectangular forms

Vastu insists on spaces that are square or rectangular in shape because it signifies shelter, stability and safety. Hence rooms that are square or rectangular in design are the most preferable. Anyway, those circular rooms are a waste of space. With so many practical solutions, we will agree that vastu is a well thought about doctrine, isn’t it?

5. Where there is water, there is serenity.

Any water body inside the house should be placed in the Northeast direction, it can include a swimming pool, an aquarium, water tank or any other water body.  Moreover when water drainage is concerned it should also drain out to the Northeast direction.

You might not want to have the hassle of maintaining an aquarium or a waterfall. All you can do is place a beautiful earthen bowl with some water in the Northeastern corner. Go ahead add some flower petals or floating candles in it.

6. What about airflow patterns?

The concept of space and the element of air in the house is a very important aspect in vastu shastra. According to it there should be provision for some empty space in the middle of the house from where light enters the house.  This central space should remain clutter-free and empty.

Also airflow inside the house should be from the Northeast direction; to facilitate it Vastu shastra also indicates the placements and height of doors, windows and balconies.

7. Some miscellaneous points:

• All doors in the house should open inside
• The north side of a house should not be blocked
• All door hinges should operate smoothly without any noise

Now answering your million-dollar question, is all of it possibly incorporated in every apartment constructed today?

Well, if you are constructing your independent house, then most of it can be applied. But in an urban dwelling, it is technically not possible to have all the elements incorporated. For instance, an apartment cannot have the central square open, nor can all be unblocked in the North.  However, even if 50% of these are incorporated, then you can be assured of your and your family’s well being.