Kerala Vasthusastra - 20 common questions answered
Though technology world is advancing forward, importance of certain beliefs are not diminishing even now, while we are standing in the first half of 21st century. It is the case of vasthu also. According to vasthu, each and every object build and placed inside home has its own significance and cannot be neglected in any case. Even now, everyone gives importance to Vasthushatra, while building their homes. As a result, a few doubts may also rise in their mind. Here, I am trying to clear some of your doubts on the basis of Kerala vasthushastra, which will surely guide you while drawing plan for your dream home.
1. Which place is most suited for building homes?
The place should be plain and should look prosperous. It may have slight slop towards east or south. It should have a fixed shape. ie. rectangle or square. Best direction is, front side of the home pointing towards the north.
2. Which is the most suitable structure of a home?
The home should have a good shape and structure and should never have projecting parts. Build doors and windows with pure wood.
3. Which colour is most suitable for rooms?
Mint colour that indicates prosperity is the best shade for rooms.
4. What are the points to be remembered while placing front door?
Main door and gate should never come in straight line. Also, no pillar should come in front of the main door. Never build front door in same line with the main door of opposite home. Main door should be in the main direction of the home, except those which faces south direction. For such homes, build doors on east or west direction. Homes should have a veranda. Use only one type of wood for the entire door and door should open inwards. Also, main door should be slightly large comparing to other doors of front side.
5. Which plants should be planted and in which direction?
Plant jack fruit tree on east, coconut on west, aracanut on south and mango tree on north. Golden apple, asokha tree and chempak can be planted anywhere. If courtyard is spacious, you can plant Indian devil tree on west, peepul on east, banyan on south and tamarind on north. Never plant neem, drumstick tree and snakewood tree near your home.
6. What are the things to be noted while planting tulsi (basil) in courtyard?
'Tulsi thara' should be in front of the house, irrespective of its direction. While standing inside the house and looking outside, it should be slightly right from the middle of courtyard. Planting Krishna tulsi is the best.
7. In which direction should we dig for a waste bin, for the purpose of burning waste?
To make a permanent waste bin or compost bin, west direction is the best. If it is only for temporary purpose, you may prefer south direction. If you can't find place in south, choose east-south or south-west directions.
8. According to vasthushastra, is there any problem, if water tank is placed on the roof or upstairs somewhere?
No. But never build water tank in the middle portion of the house, even upstairs. Most appropriate position of water tank is above the bathroom.
9. Which place is best suitable for building car porch?
According to vasthu, it is best to make car porch separately, ie. detached from home. You can build an attached one also. But it should be projected outwards, from the normal plan of the home and can be made in any direction. But, if car porch forms a part of your plan, then include it in south, east or south-east direction.
10. Can we plant lemon and golden apple inside our courtyard?
Both these plants have thorns. Except golden apple, no other thorn plant should be planted inside courtyard. Best place for lemon is any place other than courtyard. You can plant golden apple anywhere and it is often used for many rituals.
11. Is hanging lamps suitable for pooja room?
For pooja rooms at home, ordinary lamps suit best. It can be placed on floor or on a plate. You can use hanging lamps inside pooja rooms for giving aesthetic look and there is no problem. They are mostly used for decorative purposes.
12. Can we make sculptures of Hindu dieties in front door?
There is no problem for giving pictures of dieties on front door like Lekshmi, Ganapathi or Saraswathi. It will give you peace of mind and are beautiful. But never use pictures of Kali, Shiva etc or picturisation of wars which may cause unrest to our minds.
13. Is count of staircase steps important?
Staircase steps should be double in number and it depends on the height of the house. In normal cases, 19th step is placed on the second floor.
14. Can we place fish tank inside home?
According to vasthushastra, home is the place of human beings. So it never promotes the placement of fish tank inside house. Same is the case of living plants. You can place both outside, can also dig a pond to grow fish in garden or courtyard.
15. What are the things to be remembered while building gate?
Arrange the gate in such a way that, when looked from outside, it should be slightly left from the centre of the border line. ie. Centre of the home, gate and well should never come in a straight line. According to vasthu, a simple one should be placed, if it comes in south. In all other cases, you can use a decorative one.
16. Can staircase and front door be placed in the same line?
According to vasthu, there is no problem. But, if main door comes in the centre of the house, never place staircase in such a way that it can be viewed from the front door.
17. How much space is needed around a home?
It is better to have a good courtyard around the house since it will increase the flow of fresh air, sun light and keeps your home more hygienic. A home should have place to build a kennel and a coop. If your home is small, then a little space is needed around it. But one person should be able to walk easily around the home. Make courtyard according to the size of the home.
18. Which is the best place to dig a well?
A well can be built anywhere from east centre to south centre. For places of low water level, certain rules of vasthushastra are there that should be strictly followed. A well should be at least 2.88 meter distant from home. But in some places of Malabar region, wells are placed near kitchen also, for the convenience of house wives.
19. What are the common suggestions for bed room?
To get good sleep, plan your bed room in south-west direction. It should be away from cattle shed, store room, kennel etc since they may bring bad smell to disturb your sleep. It is not good to be placed near the kitchen or pooja room. Pictures of good scenary or romantic ones can be placed on the walls. But avoid those pictures that may cause restlessness to mind. Paint your bed room with sky blue colour. Sleep head pointing towards east direction.
20. Which is the best place for kitchen?
South-east, north-east or south-west directions are best suited for kitchen. Never build kitchen in north-west corner. Always place stove and hearth towards east direction and should be 1 or 3 burners in number. Sink should be placed in south-east corner and dish washers are to be placed in south-west corner.
I have tried to answer some of your doubts and I hope it will help you a lot while drawing plan of your house while you are following traditional means.
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