Puja Room

Puja room or a prayer room is an intrinsic part of every Hindu hosehold. This is mainly because rituals such as puja are an integral part of Hindu worship. In Hindu culture God is considered the owner of all creation and we consider the puja room as His room. This is a religiously pure room, in our mind. A lamp is lit and the Lord worshipped each day. Other spiritual practices like japa - repetition of the Lord's name, meditation, paaraayana - reading of the scriptures, prayers, and devotional singing etc are also done here. Special worship is done on auspicious occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and the like. Each member of the family - young or old - communes with and worships the Divine here.

Generally we avoid negative thoughts in prayer. We use only positive thoughts to get results. So, the room gets charged with positive energy, over a period of time. In that room, we generally keep pictures of Gods and Mahatmas. Even though we believe in one God, we keep the pictures of many deities.We light a lamp and worship the Lord. We burn incense in that room . Smelling incense while experiencing the calm silence of the puja room can be a powerful tool for the mind to experience peace of mind. All family members worship God in that room. Parayana ( reading the scriptures) and special pujas are always done in that room. We should make “ communing with God ” the specific purpose of the room.

The ideal attitude to take is to regard the Lord as the true owner of our homes and us as caretakers of His home. But if that is rather difficult, we could at least think of Him as a very welcome guest. Just as we would house an important guest in the best comfort, so too we felicitate the Lord's presence in our homes by having a prayer room or altar, which is, at all times, kept clean and well-decorated. Also the Lord is all pervading. To remind us that He resides in our homes with us, we have prayer rooms. Without the grace of the Lord, no task can be successfully or easily accomplished. We invoke His grace by communing with Him in the prayer room each day and on special occasions.

Each room in a house is dedicated to a specific function like the bedroom for resting, the drawing room to receive guests, the kitchen for cooking etc. The furniture, decor and the atmosphere of each room are made conducive to the purpose it serves. So too for the purpose of meditation, worship and prayer, we should have a conducive atmosphere - hence the need for a prayer room. Sacred thoughts and sound vibrations pervade the place and influence the minds of those who spend time there. Spiritual thoughts and vibrations accumulated through regular meditation, worship and chanting done there pervade the prayer room. Even when we are tired or agitated, by just sitting in the prayer room for a while, we feel calm, rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted.

The pooja room in our house should be planned according to Vastu Shashtra, because it the place where we meditate and worship. So, it is important to gain positive energies to connect to God.
A puja room, or pooja area, is an indispensable part of Hindu home and the position of the Pooja room in house is very important. Usually, the puja room faces east or west side. This direction promises to bring in happiness, prosperity, health, wealth, and peace of mind. North-east is auspicious for other reasons. In morning sunrays fall directly from north-east and give us positive energy. Puja area usually never faces north or south. The ideal position according to many scholars is to position the puja room in the north-east corner.

The idols and pictures of gods and goddess should be placed facing west or east. The idols and portraits should not be placed on the ground. It should be placed on a small table or should be hung on the wall.

Vastu Guidelines for a Puja room. - Minu CP (Architect)
Since Vastu is a science, there is logic and reasoning behind every guideline. As an Architect, I have attempted to explain these guidelines rationally and scientifically, so that you can decide what you want to follow and what you don’t.
WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR A PUJA ROOM ACCORDING TO VASTU?

**The Puja room should be in the North-East, East or North: The Scientific Reason- Early at dawn, the sun is in the North-Eastern part of the house. These hours are ideal for Yoga, meditation, prayer or study as it is very quiet and peaceful. Also, the early morning Sun’s rays have a very beneficial effect on our health. Therefore, the North-East corner is the best position for the Puja Room/prayer room or meditation room.
**In a big site, the Puja room can be in the Centre of the House: The Scientific Reason- The central part of a large house should be kept open to allow proper flow of air and cross ventilation. It makes sense to have a Puja room right in the middle of this court as it can be seen from all rooms and the space is utilized.
**The Puja Room should be in the Ground Floor and not in the Basement: The Scientific Reason- A basement is a dark and dingy place and one cannot benefit from the morning sun rays here.
**If there is no space for a Puja room, the Mandir can be placed in the North-East corner of the Kitchen: The Scientific Reason- In apartments it may not be possible to have a separate Puja room, but since one starts the day by entering the Kitchen, having a Puja here helps one to spend a few quiet moments in meditation.
**Avoid Puja mandirs in the Bedrooms: The Scientific Reason- Many people may feel uncomfortable to lie around with their feet pointing towards the religious idols, as they believe it is disrespectful to god.
**Avoid a Toilet near or above the Puja Room: The Scientific Reason- A Toilet causes disturbance when people use it and also the smell can distract while one is meditating.
WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR THE IDOLS IN A PUJA ROOM ACCORDING TO VASTU?
**Idols can be in the North-East, East or West of the Puja: The Scientific Reason- The morning sunlight streaming in from the North-East, East and the evening light from the West will light up the idols enabling you to see them better.
**Avoid idols facing North: Because then the worshiper has to face South which is not advisable. The Scientific Reason- When a worshiper sits facing South, his feet are towards the south and his head is in the North. This causes the magnetic North of the body, namely the Head to repel the Earth’s magnetic North Pole.
**Avoid broken idols or torn pictures: The Scientific Reason- Praying to a broken idol or torn image of a deity can be distracting.
**Avoid idols facing each other: The Logic: The purpose of having idols in a Puja room is for one to be able to see them and meditate on them.
**Idols should be kept at least an inch away from the wall: The Scientific Reason- Keeping the idols away from the walls, ensures that there is proper movement of air and incense smoke through the room.
WHERE SHOULD THE PUJA THINGS BE PLACED IN THE PUJA ROOM ACCORDING TO VASTU?
**The lamp should always be in front of the idol: The Scientific Reason- The idea of having a lamp is to light it and if it is placed in front of the idols, one can see them better.
**The puja things should be stored in the South-East of the Puja room: The Scientific Reason- All the puja stuff should be kept away from the North-East and East, so that there is no obstruction to the morning sunlight.
**Avoid photographs of dead people in the Puja room: The Logic- While many people believe in showing respect to the dead, it is better not to have their photos in the Puja room as they may be distracting or bring back painful memories.
**Food offerings should be placed in front of the idols: The Logic- Whatever is offered to god should be always placed in front of the idol as a mark of respect. Moreover, it is less cumbersome to remove and replace if it is right in front.
**A cupboard lower than the idols can be placed against the South or West wall: The Scientific Reason - This way, it will not be an obstruction to the useful morning sunlight.
Avoid storing or hiding money or valuables in the Puja room: The Scientific Reason- Many people may feel they are being disrespectful to God by keeping things and hiding stuff here.
WHAT ART THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE INTERIORS OF A PUJA ROOM?
**The Puja room should have a lower ceiling: One can use false ceiling for the same. The Scientific Reason - A Puja room is generally a small room and so having a low ceiling will make it appear more proportional.
**The Puja room can be a pyramid shaped space: The Scientific Reason- It is known scientifically that sitting in a pyramid especially while meditating can create positive effects on the health of the person.
**Keep the Puja room clean always: The Logic- By cleaning the Puja room everyday, it ensures that one spends a few moments in prayer. Also it is a way of showing respect to God.
**Door to the Puja room should have two shutters: The Logic - When doing puja or meditating, the door is kept open outwards and can come in the way if it is one shutter.
**There should be a threshold at the entrance to the Puja room. The Scientific Reason- A threshold prevents ants and insects from entering and this is useful in a Puja room, as foodstuff may be offered in prayer.
**For lengthy meditation, sit facing East and avoid facing the idols: If meditation is going to last for more than 15 minutes one should not sit exactly facing the idols. The Logic-When meditating it is best to face East as the morning sun’s rays are beneficial to one’s health. If one keeps looking at the idols, it can be distracting. Moreover the energy that radiates from them can be very strong.
WHAT COLOURS DOES VASTU RECOMMEND FOR A PUJA ROOM?
Colours in the Puja room: Can be white, light yellow or light blue. White or light yellow marble work in the room is preferred. The Scientific Reason- White marble shines and reflects light, thus enhancing the bright and well-lit look of a space. The same is true in case of light colours.

42 comments:

  1. but i don't have north east corner to my flat what is the alternative

    wishu.desai@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. My stuff is more south than east do I know what you mean :(

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  2. Contact :- Mr. Vijay Patel. Mumbai
    Mobile :- 9819201965.

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  3. K.P. Divakara Menon, my grandfather, built a house named Kalyani in 1990. There he lives with his wife (my grandmother) and physically handicapped younger brother (my grand-uncle). He doesn't make a space to a pooja room or even a pooja shelf facing east or west as there was no space. This house is named after my great-grandmother, or his mother, K.P. Kalyanikutty Amma (1905-1985).

    He gave space on the north side near kitchen facing south, the direction of the dead. It was only for the technical reason that he never made a space worship facing east or west. Now, I am going to re-build this house and give a pooja space in the south-west corner facing east.

    Until January 2006, there were many photos of the dead people also in the space. They include my another great-grandmother Pootheri Rugmini Amma, grand-uncle Pootheri Krishnanunni, Karyattukara Velayudha Swamikal, and even my great-great-grandparents. In a book, there showed that we must never keep the photos of dead people even if they are considered to be gods. All religions say to respect our elders, living and dead. We pray to god for a mental peace, but if we see the photos of the dead persons, it will make us cry. So don't allow it.

    But still, my great-grandmother's photo hangs on the west wall facing east, which is not good.

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  4. The Pooja Room shown contains more photos of Mahatmas than those of gods. The photos of Mahatmas must be less than those of gods. So this is not a model pooja room.

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  5. Hello,


    Since the north-east direction of my flat opens into a verandah, I cannot place my pooja alter there. Can the pooja alter be placed on the southwest wall of the dining room, facing north? I could then sit facing east to do pooja. Please advice

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  6. Hello,


    Since the north-east direction of my flat opens into a verandah, I cannot place my pooja alter there. Can the pooja alter be placed on the southwest wall of the dining room, facing north? I could then sit facing east to do pooja. Please advice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I dont knw :(
      sorry u mst contact to an astrologer ^_^

      Delete
  7. Hello,


    Since the north-east direction of my flat opens into a verandah, I cannot place my pooja alter there. Can the pooja alter be placed on the southwest wall of the dining room, facing north? I could then sit facing east to do pooja. Please advice

    suresh.kalyani@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello,


    Since the north-east direction of my flat opens into a verandah, I cannot place my pooja alter there. Can the pooja alter be placed on the southwest wall of the dining room, facing north? I could then sit facing east to do pooja. Please advice

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gowin SankrityayanJune 17, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    gowin_pande@yahoo.com

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  10. Gowin SankrityayanJune 17, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    I tour a lot and i have to stay at hotels 25 days in a month. In hotel room, i always get confused while placing God's photo. I want to know the best direction and location for placing God's photo in the hotel room and my siting position while meditating or performing puja. Pls. advise.

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  11. To all in this thread, just happen to end up on this website. All directions in this universe are equally important. If you fly out of this planet then you wil know that there is no direction in this universe. The somos itself is not perfect hence any living being that is not born is never perfect and so how can the Vastu shastra be perfect, when it was designed by a human. If these directions are indeed the source of truth for everything then how are other humans on this planet outside of India are living? Remember: This world is being run by god. :-) Please use your spirutual encyclopedia which is in your heart (GOD), you will get all aswers from there.

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    Replies
    1. how many times have you flown out of this planet...this is a natural tendency of fools to deny existence of everything they don't understand.

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    2. Well said... Right now my altar faces sw..hope the univetse accepts that. And I also used to have my nanny and other relatives picture in the alter..as they passed; Because I grow up learning that our ancesters especially nannies and close blood relatives..or those we regard as our parents and grands...are attached to our purpose..and or reason we are who we are..that's the reason I hv my relative in my alter room..as their my god on earth...

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  12. can i keep an idol of 2 feet height of godess lakshmi and saraswathi in my pooja room

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  13. I was thought pictures of dead living beings are ok,as the are a part of GOD and lives in our heart

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  14. I was thought pictures of dead being are good to have in puja room,as they are still alive your heart and give you inner strength,example I have a picture of My mother and family pet who are both passed away. KRSNAJI lord animals and gave us the power to love them

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  15. My Flat entrance faces South. There isa Bathcum toilet which is in East . In which dierection facing and area do i keep the God's pictures/photos

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  16. Can we keep the prayer altar in the sleeping room? Because,my parents kept the prayer altar in my room,where i sleep and change too. Even when i m not clean too,i sleep in room. Is it good or bad? Alot of bad things happening in my life.. I m not married yet and i m 34years old..

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  17. Can we keep the prayer altar in the sleeping room? Because,my parents kept the prayer altar in my room,where i sleep and change too. Even when i m not clean too,i sleep in room. Is it good or bad? Alot of bad things happening in my life.. I m not married yet and i m 34years old..

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  18. I was advised by a priest to place my prayer altar facing the east which is at my living room. After much discussing we decided to have a prayer altar in the centre of the livinig room.We are non vegetarians and im a bit concerened as the dining area is also part of my living room. Is it proper? Kindly assist thevavjayan_29@hotmail.com

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    Replies
    1. I wpuld vote against it..but than again you see readturants serving meat and the altar is right near.. It depends on how you look at it..i guess reasturants either does not know better or hv no choose..and maybe because it's a place of business..it could make it ok.. But at home..I would say follow your instinct..

      For me I find it disrespectful to god to hv and altar near indecent behaviours or meat.. For praying..no i would not hv one in a area i eat meat..but yes i would have a picture or something religious in my living room..which is engulf with meat from cooking etc.. to protect my home from negative energies..but that area will not be used for meditation..a altar are is a place i consider for meditation and worshiping

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  19. I was advised by a priest to place the prayer altar facing the East. After much discussion we decided to place the altar in the central of the living room. The priest was happy with the decision. But we are non vegetarians and the dining area is also part of the living room. We find it a bit wierd that we have to consume or food where the prayer altar is being placed. Kindly advise

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  20. hi i have my lamp in my room , with my feet pointing at the lamp,i dont hv enough of space bt recently i cannot fall asleep in my room,so i sleep in the lounge.my husband says its cause we have sex in the room and im the mother of the house n thats why i cnt sleep in my bedroom. pls advice.
    sarasmoodley4zn@gmail.com

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  21. i live in a very small apartment with a big puja mandir. my father has been accumulating images of deities and pasting them all around the house,its his faith he says.i have been told that it brings inauspiciousness.how far is this true.please advice.

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  22. is it inauspicious to place images and idols of dieties in every room of the house.pl advice. rn.tarakad@gmail.com

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  23. My store room is beside the toilet whereby there is a small pillar in between. I was planning to place my prayer room in the store room.. Pls.advice

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  24. Hi, i have a really expensive Ganesha. While i was shifting house, the hand broke. I glued it back. I dont want to immerse it in water cos i really love the Ganesha plus it is an expensive one. Can i use it as a decorative piece and not worship it or can u please suggest any other alternatives, cos i would really like to keep the Ganesha

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    Replies
    1. juz happen to stumble upon this site.. in my opinion, there is nothing wrong in keeping & worshipping a broken statue which has been glued back. kindly keep it. God lives in everything.. shashi

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  25. Please excuse my ignorance. I am not Hindu, but I do have a few idols in my home. I think they are beautiful. Although, I do not feel comfortable with one of them. I do not know the correct name for who it is. Can someone please tell me the correct and respectful way to remove it from my home? It is not broken, but I do not think it is meant for me. Thank you. My email address is haleycraven91@gmail.com

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  26. I have a rectangular wooden panel which has Ashtalakshmi sculpted on it. I have placed this panel on the inner side of the wall above the main entrance door which is facing east i.e when we enter the flat we are facing east. While the panel is facing east we face west when we view it. Is it correct location for the Ashtalakshmi panel?

    Kind Regards,

    Gautam Pal
    Email ID: gautampal18@hotmail.com

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  27. I really enjoy reading and also appreciate your work.
    Laxmi puja online

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  28. which direction one should face while praying/doing pooja at home ? And which direction the idols should face?
    I am getting mixed replies.. I have been doing so many research on googling and consulting a few well known astrologists(who has evenPhD in astrology).. They all told that east/west is the best and worshipper should face WEST direction and idols to face EAST direction ..

    Can anyone comment please? I am about to finish the interiors of my pooja room and left with open question

    ReplyDelete
  29. which direction one should face while praying/doing pooja at home ? And which direction the idols should face?
    I am getting mixed replies.. I have been doing so many research on googling and consulting a few well known astrologists(who has evenPhD in astrology).. They all told that east/west is the best and worshipper should face WEST direction and idols to face EAST direction ..

    Can anyone comment please? I am about to finish the interiors of my pooja room and left with open question

    ReplyDelete
  30. which direction one should face while praying/doing pooja at home ? And which direction the idols should face?
    I am getting mixed replies.. I have been doing so many research on googling and consulting a few well known astrologists(who has evenPhD in astrology).. They all told that east/west is the best and worshipper should face WEST direction and idols to face EAST direction ..

    Can anyone comment please? I am about to finish the interiors of my pooja room and left with open question

    ReplyDelete
  31. which direction one should face while praying/doing pooja at home ? And which direction the idols should face?
    I am getting mixed replies.. I have been doing so many research on googling and consulting a few well known astrologists(who has evenPhD in astrology).. They all told that east/west is the best and worshipper should face WEST direction and idols to face EAST direction ..

    Can anyone comment please? I am about to finish the interiors of my pooja room and left with open question

    ReplyDelete
  32. The pooja room decorating all rooms all decorating man use aluminium scaffolding for perfect modern decorate.

    ReplyDelete

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