Vastu and Cardinal Directions
Vasthu is an architectural science that deals with building houses in accordance with purpose, rules and best practices. While some of its recommendations may seem archaic and downright silly, Vasthu has a logical reason behind each of its principles the
In this millennium there are many people who don’t believe in Vastu Shastra. They dismiss Vastu Shastra as an illogical belief and superstition. In reality the concept behind Vastu deals with building houses in accordance with purpose, rules and practices that have scientific reasons. It is believed that everything in the universe has certain amount of energy present within it, and buildings and land also have vibrations of energy that continuously affecting the dwellers. The energy emitted can be positive (the good ones) or negative (the bad ones). Vastu helps eliminate the negative energy and increase positive energy, which helps the dweller become prosperous and progressive. Nowadays most of the clients request their houses to be designed according to Vastu. Vastu and architecture are completely different subjects as Vastu Shastra require strict adherence whereas architecture is never definite
Vastu has many elements and the spaces are governed by the position of the sun and cardinal directions. There is myth related to how it started. When Lord Brahma created a man to inhabit earth, the man called Vastupurush got out of control with his power in order to stop him Lord Brahma took help of other gods to pin him down on the surface of the Earth, with his head facing the northeast direction and the leg to the south west direction. As per the Vastu rules, the dwellers of the land should make Vastupurusha happy by placing the correct item on the correct place. If they failed the Vastupurush could in return tease or trouble the dwellers for their failure.
If any architect designs a residence based fully on Vastu, it might be really hard to fit in all the requirements as it needs open and larger space. Despite the limitations some client expects their houses to at least follow the basic and general rules of Vastu, Let us consider know the role of the Cardinal directions and how the Sun plays a basic and important role in Vastu.
Northeast Direction
It is the direction from where the magnetic, gravitational, and rotational energies f the Earth enters the building. Hence northeast is considered auspicious and should be open and wider than any other areas of the building. This area must be clean and scared places such as Puja Room should be in this direction. As water is considered the bank of energy in Vastu, having underground water tank and Wells on this area will bring prosperity and positive energy. Toilets should never be placed on the northeast corner of the house as it promotes negative energy.
East Direction
It is in this direction that the rising Sun is present between 6 am and 7:30 am. It represents the essence of all the beginnings, and having the main door here is a sign of respect to the Sun. In addition, it will ensure that the UV rays in the morning sunlight enters in the house and destroys all bacteria.
Southeast Direction
It is the direction that where the sun is from 7:30 am to 9 am and is best place for getting the kitchen as the morning sunrays kills the germs on the kitchen counter, thus preventing the food from getting spoiled, and the sunrays of south will help prevent any moisture deposit. It is also believed that as this is the direction to god Agni (fire), we should avoid any taps or drainage in this direction.
South Direction
It is in this direction that the Sun stays till noon. This can be the area for an office or the children’s bedroom. This is the ideal place for store rooms as it helps to prevent moisture to stay.
The energy enters through northeast and escapes through southwest of the house, hence south west portion should be heavily made, and least number of windows should be placed on this area to trap the good energy coming from northeast. It also helps to reduce the heat that enters during the day time in the house. The Sun stays from noon to 3 pm in this direction, and this place is suitable for master bedroom.
West Direction
It is in direction that the sun reaches from 3-6 pm and is the ideal time for any children to study. Hence children room can be placed here in this direction since this place gets heated up with the Sun rays. Less used rooms like toilets store room which acts as a buffer zone to the rest of the house.
North Direction
As Nepal is in the northern hemisphere near the equator, there is a constant light from the north throughout the year. This area is convenient for business transactions, and living rooms are best placed in north side of the house.
The right application of Vastu Shastra can create a balance between building structure and nature, which creates equilibrium between energies, thus bringing peace and prosperity to dwellers. The limitations of site does affect its use of Vastu in Nepal, but a designer should follow and respect the cardinal direction and place sensitive rooms accordingly, so that the dwellers will not have a problem in the future.
Northwest Direction
It usually consists of dining room and bedroom as the Sun stays after 6 pm in this direction representing the time to eat and go to bed. As this area also gets heated up, the rooms like toilets, store rooms can also be placed here for them to act as buffers, and prevent the other areas of house from getting heated up.
