Vaastu Shastra is an ancient mystic science, an art of designing and constructing buildings that originated from the Vedas. During the Vedic period, people built homes, with the intention for peaceful and harmonious living. But in the modern world, the race to make buildings not in line with the ancient by laws of nature, has led the world into pollution, environment and ecological problems with no peace of mind under any kind of shelter.

The best part of following Vaastu is that the guidelines are very simple and easy to follow. If you are constructing your house, here are a few tips to follow:

Guidelines

Master bedroom should be constructed in south west direction, which ensures peace in the house.

If you are constructing a bedroom in the north west direction, then preferably use it as a guest room or for your daughter.

Avoid sleeping with your head facing north, as it acts as a source of nightmares and disturbs sleep. Avoid placing divine idols in the bedroom.

If you have a bookshelf in your bedroom, then west or south west corner is apt for this purpose. Square and rectangle shape bedrooms are just perfect for ensuring peace and prosperity.

Children’s room: Apt direction for construction is west. (North or east directions also can be used for constructing kids’ room).Beds can be placed in the south west corner. Avoid placing furniture sticking to the wall, as it obstructs the flow of positive energy. The study table should be placed in such a manner that the child faces eastern, northern or north eastern corner while studying, though east is the most appropriate direction, as it enhances concentration.

Electronic gadgets like TV and computer should be avoided in the children’s bedroom, but if you need to keep a computer (which has become a source of education today), the right place is south east corner. North west corner for TV would be fine.

Kitchen: The ideal place for the location of kitchen is the south east corner, though an alternative choice is the north west corner of the house. You should strictly avoid north east, mid-north, mid-west, south west, mid south or the centre, if you wish to follow Vaastu. The cooking platform should not touch eastern or northern side wall.

The best direction for cooking is facing east, as this direction is considered to be auspicious. Refrigeration can be placed on the north west corner of the kitchen. No shelf should be placed above the cooking platform.

Dining room:The ideal location for dining room is the west portion of the house, taking care that the dining room and kitchen are both on the same floor, adjacent to each other. Square and rectangle shapes are ideal for a dining room. Don’t stick the dining table to the wall.

Pink and orange are suitable colours for a dining room. If you are planning a washbasin in a dining room, then the right place could be the eastern or northern corner.

Living room: The ideal direction for construction of drawing room is north.

It would be better if you keep square or rectangle shape furniture for living room, and place the furniture in the southern and western corners of the room. Leave more open space in the northern and eastern corners in the living room. TV should be in the south east direction and show units in the south west corner. Sofas should be kept in the north west. Avoid L sofa in your living room. Centre table should be in the shape of square, rectangle or even round.

Seating arrangements for the guests should be in such a manner that the guests face south or west direction.

Bathroom: Drainage system should be in the north east direction, so the taps and showers should be fixed on the northern side. There should be proper light and cross ventilation in the bathroom.Geyser should be placed in the south east corner. The bathroom door should not be in the southwest direction as per Vaastu. Suitable direction for a bathtub is west. As per Vaastu, keep your washing machine in the south east and north east.

Cash or valuables should be placed in the east facing cupboards, so that when the cupboard door opens, the valuables are exposed towards the east. According to Vaastu Shastra, every object and living creature exudes vibrations. These vibrations may be positive or negative.Vaastu aims at creating a place where there is maximum generation of positive energy and minimum generation and accumulation of negative energy, by allowing free flow and proper placement of the elements wind, water, fire and air. It is interesting to see that though the science has been around for hundreds of years, it is still evolving.

Landscaping: A house well planned with flowering plants not only enhances the aesthetic beauty of the place, but contributes considerably to our environment. As a general rule, gardens in homes and factories should always be in the north or west and within the confines of the compound. The south-east and south-west should not be selected for any kind of garden or plantation.

A basil plant is a very positive influence within the limits of a house, especially, north-east corner.

A water pond (in a favourable direction) with lotus is appropriate. Gardens in the south-east and south-west cause tensions. Large or tall plants should never be planted towards the east or north. No large plant should be planted exactly in the centre of the site. Thorny plants must not be grown within the house limits. Cacti are considered very dangerous and harmful for a residential unit. They bring tensions and create friction in relationships.

If the garden is presented in the centre of the house limit, it must not have any fountain in the centre. A swimming pool in the centre, towards south, south-east or south-west or even north-west, creates undue events. It brings negativity in the health of the residents. A pool is favourable in the east north or even in the west. Huge, heavy statues are favourable towards the south, south-west or the west.