Pooja room in Vastu
Vastu places the pooja room in the north-east, the sacred Ishanya corner, with east and north as alternatives. You ideally face east or north while praying, and the space is kept clean, light and away from toilets and stairs.
Also known as: puja ghar
The north-east is the most spiritual corner of the home, linked with Ishana and Jupiter, so it is the first choice for a pooja room or home mandir. The east and north are good alternatives. The south, south-west and south-east are traditionally avoided.
Arrange the space so that you face east or north while praying. Keep idols slightly away from the wall, at a comfortable height, and the room clean and uncluttered, with a lamp or diya and fresh flowers. Light colours such as white, pale yellow or light blue suit it well.
Avoid placing the pooja room under a staircase, beside or above a toilet, or sharing a wall with one. In a bedroom, a small mandir with doors or a curtain is a common, respectful solution.
You do not need a separate room. In a flat, a clean shelf or small mandir in the north-east corner of the living room is entirely in keeping with Vastu. Devotion and care matter more than size.