VASTU SHASTRA OF INDIAN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN

CONTEXT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

Haripriya T K Ar.Uthara K S
haripriyatks@gmail.com
TKM College of Engineering TKM College of Engineering

Kollam Kollam

haripriyatks@gmail.com utharaks92@gmail.com

Abstract: Vastu Shastra is an ancient Vastu has acclaimed immense popularity

Vedic science of layout planning of among the common people throughout
buildings that has stood the test of times, the time.
influencing peace and prosperity of the
Keywords: Vastu Shastra, Environmental
inhabitants. Vastu science does not find
Context, Planning Principles,
its root in astrology but is a science which
Fundamental Concept, Scientific
deals with the management of cosmic
Explanations.
energy in building and structures. Vastu
helps in making a congenial setting or a
place to live and work in a most scientific I. INTRODUCTION
way taking advantage of the benefits The Vastu Shastra can be understood as an

bestowed by nature, its elements and ancient art of placement of any object with

energy fields for enhanced health, wealth, respect to the cosmic energy grid which

prosperity and happiness. has a great effect on our lives. The

structures which are planned and
Vastu Shastra unifies the science, art,
constructed according to Vastu principles
astronomy and astrology, it can also be
are more auspicious and durable when
said as an ancient mystic science for
compared to those constructed without
designing and building, Vastu Shastra
consideration of Vastu principles. This has
helps us to make our lives better and will
been observed and proved by many sages
secure us from things going negative.
and modern architects. (Rajoriya, 2008)

Vastu states that when buildings and forms

become a part of the basic structure of the

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universe and vibrate in harmony with it,
when they echo the underlying cosmic
principle. These positive vibrations have a
direct impacts on the inhabitants. Vastu
holds the hidden key to realigning the
home with the cosmic principles such as
the magnetic field of earth, solar energy,
gravity, the movement of the celestial
spheres, and the influence of the moon and
sun. It provides a holistic approach to the
layout and design of houses. Although the
principles of Vastu are constrained by
ancient universal laws, they are
unconditioned by time and remain as
relevant today as they were 4500 years
ago.
II. NEED OF STUDY
In contemporary India Vastu is still being
termed as ‘myth’ or ‘occult’ by the
majority. Still it can be observed that this
practise proves to be quite popular with
contemporary clients, who insist on their
house to be designed and built as per the
rules of Vast Shastra.
This topic has been chosen since, for
modern homemakers, environmental
context can be more relatable and easy to
understand. Knowing the basics behind the
principles can help segregate the same
from the most important to the least
important ones, and to decide which
principles to strictly consider and which
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can be avoided. Having more knowledge
about the same will encourage more
people to consider Vastu during their
planning and construction. The purpose is
to clear the fears in the mind of the people
about the misconception of Vastu Shastra,
which are mostly the fear created by
consultants or other people by threats of
destruction, disease, miserable life or even
death.
SCOPE:
1. The understanding of Vastu through
scientific perspective may encourage
present day homemakers to incorporate
more of the same in planning and
construction of residences.
2. The information acquired regarding
knowledge, application and limitations
in construction and renovation
according to Vastu Shastra may give
an innovative outlook to architects
having interest in the specific area.
LIMITATIONS:
 Being a micro level study, it is
confined to limited areas and aspects.
The topic being ‘Vastu Shastra in
context with the environment’, the
significance of application of Vastu
Shastra in building construction
based on environmental context can
be observed and assessed. But all the
aspects have not been included like
 astrological aspects, mathematical
calculations to be computed etc.

III. METHODOLOGY

Figure1.1: The five elements and their symbols

1.2 THE OCCULT ASPECT

The following can be observed as the three

main factors that influence the
misconceptions about Vastu and its
tagging as superstitious or as a myth.

1. Personal motives of the consultants

2. Mythological Stories

3. Contemporary situation of Vastu in

India

IV. LITERATURE REVIEW 1.3 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF VASTU

1.1 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT
VASTU SHASTRA
The fundamental rules of Vastu Shastra
are based on two important aspects.
1. The five natural elements- Sky,
Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
2. The eight cardinal directions North,
South, East ,West, North East
,North West, South East, South
West.
AND THEIR APPLICATION
Vastu is a timeless and universal system,
OF
relevant to all people at all times and not
confined to the climate and conditions of
India. It provides insight into the broader
picture of the underlying energies and
forces at work in the universe. Vastu can
be used as a tool to sharpen our awareness
and draw attention to any minor but
irritating defects in our environment that
have remained unnoticed and unaltered.
(Rajoriya, 2008)
The application of Vastu Shastra can
be divided into three forms.

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 1. Elemental Level 2. Kumaranjiyedathu Tharavadu

2. Planning Level  Traditional residence following Vastu

Shastra
3. Extensive Level
 150 years old
1.4 ENVIRONMENTAL RELEVANCE
3. Residence of Mr. Paul Mundadan
AND SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO
VASTU  Renovated in accordance to
principles of Vast Shastra
1. Solar radiation and its effects
 Traditional planning
2. Directions and deities  49 years old

3. Environmental context Why the Case Studies?

The above case studies are selected since

V. CASE STUDIES
the study of these allows for a comparative
The Case studies of three Indian
analysis of the same.
residences are conducted, among which
two are traditional residences and one is a The differences or similarities in the
contemporary residence. These are application of Vastu can be identified.
residences that are either constructed or
The changes that have happened in the
renovated based on the principles of Vastu
application of the rules in accordance to
Shastra, and belong to different time
the changes in context, environment and
periods.
time, if any, can be identified.
The analysis is done based on the
These case studies help to find out if the
parameters identified from the Data
desired results are actually attained, by
Collection. Following are the Case studies:
analysing the satisfactory levels of the
1. Vastu House, Bangalore residents.

 Constructed purely based on Vastu COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Shastr
 In all the residents, Vastu Shastra is
 9 years old
applied in the planning level. The
 Contemporary design placement of almost all the rooms
in all the structures is done

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 according to the guidelines of d) Modern building materials
Vastu. Therefore it can be are much easier to
concluded that the planning transport and handle than
principles of Vastu in elemental the later.
form has sustained throughout the
time.  Application of Vast Shastra in
elaborated form has declined
 The building materials in the oldest throughout the years. Even though
structure (Kumaranjiyedath) were people still give importance to
chosen according to the factors such as furniture layout, a
preferences of Vastu. Timber and lot of other elaborated rules of
stone are prominently used in this Vastu are not given much
structure. In the 23 year old importance. For example, in the
structure (Paul Mundadan Kumaranjiyedath Tharavadu,
Residence), timber is used for water, fire, plants etc were placed
rafters and pillars. The third house at the Water zone, the Fire zone
(Vastu House) shows very little use and the Earth zone respectively.
of timber for namesake. The usage These types of practises have
is confined to just furnitures. This reduced in the other two structures
shows that the importance of
selection of materials according to  The changes in social and
Vastu has declined over time. This environmental context have in fact
can be attributed to the following: influenced the application of Vastu.
a) Availability of new and Changes in the climate over the
economic building years have changed some of the
materials during these conventional Vastu practises.
days. Similarly, changes in the social
b) Lack of craftsmanship for structure has also affected certain
timber, stone or other planning principles.
traditional building For example, in the 150 years old
materials. Tharavadu, the south side was
c) Increase in the rate of designated for the women’s
traditional building bedroom with an exit to the
materials.
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 outside, where they spent their time
during the menstrual period. This
room is placed such that it is away
from the Pooja room and the
kitchen. But as time went by, this
principle is no longer followed.
VI. INFERENCE
The research realizes the importance of
Vastu Shastra through a scientific
perspective in context to the Environment.
Although the level of application of Vastu
has changed a lot during time, it can be
observed that the popularity of this
tradition has not declined, but in fact has
increased over time.
Contrary to popular belief, Vastu rules
does not restrict the creativity of an
architect, but instead presents a challenge
to achieve spiritual atmosphere within a
concrete beauty in harmony with the
nature.
It can be inferred that even though people
are unaware of the scientific grounds of
Vastu, they still choose to follow the
tradition due to its occult aspect. But this
leads to the blind application of random
rules, hence failing to provide the expected
results as it should provide.
Educating the people about the
environmental significance of Vastu will
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help them to choose for themselves the
regulations according to the results they
desire. This will also remove the myth that
Vastu is religion specific and is followed
to only to please the Gods.
VII. CONCLUSION
The Vastu Shastra principles are not just
mythological but also based on the various
scientific reasons which affect the
planning and construction of various
structures like homes, offices, dwellings,
etc. Through thorough study and profound
analysis one can find the scientific reasons
behind each and every aspect and principle
of Vastu Shastra.
Here, I have tried to find few of the
scientific reasons behind the Vastu Shastra
recommendations like planning,
orientation, type of land, building
materials, placement of doors and
windows, shape of plot and in total, the
relation between Vastu Shastra and the
environment protection by classifying the
principles into three categories: Elemental
level, Planning level and Extensive Level.
Based on the above mentioned analysis, it
can be concluded that while immediate
benefits of Vastu principles in a house may
not happen, the importance of Vastu
science for one’s living cannot be ruled
out. Principles of Vastu are now accredited
to be the solid science of architecture
promoting the design concepts for a house
in a way that nature’s five elements can be
maximized into the wellbeing of every
occupant of the house. This explains as to
why Vastu Shastra is not only important
but is also an unavoidable necessity for
every person who wants to erect a house
by purchasing a new plot of land or a new
readymade home. Residential property
designed in respect with Vastu parameters
is always a house of positive energy force
keeping its occupants in great physical
fitness, as well as growth and prosperity in
their chosen endeavour.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I consider myself extremely privileged to
have been guided by Ar. Uthara K S,
Department of Architecture, TKM College
of Engineering, Kollam, in completing this
dissertation paper and I am greatly
indebted in her for her meticulous
guidance and advices and the efforts she
put in to make this paper happen.
I take this opportunity to thank Prof. Jolly
John, Dissertation coordinator, Department
of Architecture, TKM College of
Engineering, Kollam for her valuable
support throughout the dissertation.
I owe my deep gratitude to our Head of the
Department Prof. Dr Dili A S, who guided
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us all along, till the completion of our
project work by developing a good system.
I would like to express my sincere thanks
to Vastu Consultant Mr. Radhakrishnan
Manayil for taking time from his busy
schedule to discuss in depth about the
basics and principles of Vastu Shastra.
I would also like to thank the employees of
Vaikom Munsiff Court for taking part in
the survey that was conducted which
turned out to be extremely helpful for the
research.
Finally, I express my sincere gratitude to
my family members and parents for their
constant support, prayers and
encouragement over the years. Above all, I
bow my head before God Almighty for his
blessings showered upon me in all my
difficulty.
REFERENCES
Archdaily. 2010. The Vastu House,
Khosla Associates. Archdaily. [Online] 13
July 2010.
https://www.archdaily.com/68535/vastu-
house-khosla-associates.
Floor, Common. 2014. Vastu rules for the
location of household appliances. Common
Floor. [Online] 6 October 2014.
https://www.commonfloor.com/guide/vast
u-rules-for-the-location-of-household-
appliances-46838.html.

Manayil, Ramakrishnan. 2018. 2018.

Neetima. 2010. VASTU SHASTRA IN

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND
FURNISHINGS. 2010.

Rajoriya, Richa. 2008. RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN VASTU SHASTRA AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.
Bhopal : EPCO Bhopal, 2008.

Ravi & Minu Architects. 2012.

SCIENTIFIC VASTU . Architecture
Ideas. [Online] 12 December 2012.