PRESENTATION ON

VASTU

SUBMITTED BY:
KANUPRIYA (2013ARA056)
PRANJALI PURI (2013ARA0
B.ARCH SEMESTER 8TH
INTRODUCTION
India in the richness of its culture and tradition has some helpful tips on how to design
our buildings and are embodied in the ancient traditions known as Vastu Shastra.
Vastu Shastra is the refined combination of ancient Hindu traditions developed as an art,
analyzed as a science , and interpreted astrologically can lead the way into healthy living.

ELEMENTS OF VASTU SHASTRA

Vastu Shastra describes that
everything in the universe is
constructed by the five elements
called PANCHAMABHOOTA .
• THE SUN
• THE EARTH
• THE SKY
• THE AIR
• THE WATER
VASTU PRINCIPLES:
The basic principle is for a person to get maximum benefits of life’s
energy giving sources , he should have a balance with nature.

North West NORTH North East

Kubaran
Vayu Eshanyam
wealth
Air LORD

WEST EAST
Varanyu Indiran
Rain knowledge

South West SOUTH South East

Nyruthi Yama Agnayam
Earth Death Fire
WATER: Water bodies in north or east
are considered good. Domestic water
should be drained out in North – East.
The North-East direction is always
auspicious and suitable for water. The
flow of rain or fresh water should be
towards North-East.
FIRE: The direction of Fire is South-
East. The Kitchen, fireplace, geysers
etc. should be placed only in this
direction.
AIR: The air should enter the building
from North -East. All the openings and
media for air entry such as doors,
windows, ventilators coolers, air-
conditioners, verandas, balconies etc.
should be in this directions.
SPACE OR OPEN SKY: Traditionally
every house in India used to have an
open space (Court Yard) in the centre
of the house. It provided the dwellers
not only the open sky but also
sunlight and cross-ventilation.
VASTU AND CLIMATE:
The sun emits two type of rays, ultra violet and infrared and they have different effects on
human body and environment.
UV rays is emitted in the morning, which kill bacteria and hence kitchen is preferred in eastern
side. These rays are soaked by water to a large extent and so, water in the north-east direction .
Infrared rays are emitted during the peak hours, which is harmful. Hence, water bodies are not
kept on the south-west corners so that the reflections do not enter the house.
The toilets should not be placed in the north-east direction, as the good rays will become
contaminated.
The magnetic field is always steady in the north-south direction . Head being the north pole
and feet being the south pole, our body also has a magnetic field. Hence, our legs should be
towards south and head towards north. Is both the north are in the same direction, they will
repel each other and affect the blood circulation.
The west and south side should be heavier and have taller constructions, or trees so that the
harmful rays of the sun do not reach us. This is also the reason why the slopes are provided
from south to the north direction. These tall constructions would also provide shading to the
buildings infront.
Number of doors and windows on the west and south should be bare minimum and only under
unavoidable circumstances. In the north-west direction, one window is necessary for the air to
escape.
 IMPORTANCE OF SUN AND ITS POSITION IN A DAY:
• Puja Room or meditation room in the North-East:
• The period between 3am and 6am, just before sunrise is called
Brahma Muhurta.
• it is very quiet and peaceful.
• Bathroom, doors/windows in the East:
• From 6am to 7.30am, the Sun is in the eastern part of the house.
• In addition, there should be lots of openings and no
obstructions in the East so that the beneficial ultraviolet rays of
the morning Sun will engulf the house.
• Kitchen in the South-East:
• The time between 7.30am to 9am
• the kitchen can be located here as the UV rays of the Sun will

keep the kitchen counter free from germs that spoil the food.
• Bedroom, office, Store room in the South:
• The period between 9am and noon is the time for work.
• By noon, the intensity of the heat is high and so the South is ideal for store rooms which need to
be moisture proof.
• Master bedroom, Wardrobes in the South-West:
• After lunch it is time for rest, so the time between noon and 3 pm is called Vishranti
• the wardrobes should be kept on the west wall to reduce the heat.
• Children’s bedroom, study room, toilets in the West:
• The period between 3pm and 6pm is the time for children to
study.
• the West gets very heated up, it is beneficial to have less
used rooms like toilets which serve as buffers to the heat.
• Second bedroom, dining room in the North-West:
• The time between 6pm and 9pm
• good for another bedroom and dining room.
• Safe, Living room in the North:
• The time between midnight and 3 am
• the best place to hide valuables and to keep them protected.
SITE:
• LOCATION-Plot with roads on all four sides is considered the best
-The next best option is a Plot with roads on the North
or East
• SHAPE-Square and rectangular shaped site is the best shape
-avoid traingle, circle, polygon etc, for the plot
-Sites with projections/extensions in the North or East are considered good
• ORIENTATION-East facing Site: is good for scholars, philosophers, priests, professors, teachers
-North facing Site: in power, administration and those who work for government.
-South facing Site: for business class and those who work in business organisations.
-West facing Site: is for those who provide supporting services to the society.
• SLOPE- North-East < North-West < South-East < South-West
VERANDAH
IN NORTH OR EAST PART
NOT BE IN SOUTH OR WEST
ENTRANCE DOORS
IN NORTH- IN THE WEST SIDE, WEST-IN THE
SOUTH, SOUTH-IN THE WEST, EAST- IN THE
SOUTH
PUJA ROOM
IN NORTH OR NORTH DIRECTION
IF NO PLACE, IN THE NE CORNER OF KITCHEN
NOT IS BASEMENTS OR UPPER FLOORS
REASONS
East has morning sun and north has light
throughout the day.
Gets heated up during the day.
REASONS
To allow light penetration and give place for
windows.
REASONS
Early morning sun is beneficial for us and also it
is quiet and peaceful.
A person starts the day be entering kitchen and
it is peaceful.
Basements are dingy and dark, and it should be
on ground floors so that it can put off physically
disabled.
BATHROOM
IN NORTH WEST OR WEST. SECOND OPTION IS
SOUTH EAST
BEDROOMS
MAIN BEDROOMS IN THE SOUTH
AVOID BEDROOMS IN NORTH-EAST
AVOID PLACING THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
HOUSE
AVOID PLACEMENT OVER CAR PARKS/GARRAGE
MASTER BEDROOM SHOULD BE IN THE SOUTH
WEST
GUEST BEDROOM IN NORTH WEST
REASONS
Helps to keep the house safe from infrared rays
and sun helps dry the bathroom faster. Away
from NE which is considered auspicious.
REASONS
The North is meant for the Living room and
entertaining guests. Private space should be
located far from the front that is the South.
With early morning sunlight, it is ideally suited
for a meditation room or Puja room.
It will be used for movement and accessing
other rooms which will hamper the privacy .
The fumes from garage and kitchen can be
harmful and can cause uneasiness.
In early times, it was done to guard the
granaries .
It is closer to the living and in front of the house.
DINING ROOM
IN EAST, SOUTH OR WEST
ON THE SAME FLOOR AS KITCHEN
KITCHEN
SOUTHEAST OR NORTH WEST
AVOID IN NE
STAIRCASE
SOUTHWEST OR SOUTH OR WEST
AVOID INTERNAL STAIRCASE IN THE CORNERS
OR THE CENTRE OF THE HOUSE
REASONS
Any direction is suitable, it should be close to
the kitchen and have enough light and privacy.
Easier to carry the hot utensils and to serve.
REASONS
The hot summer wind, blowing from the S-W to
the N-E direction would not cause damage by
carrying sparks.
Reserved for puja and meditation room.
REASONS
The North-East is to be left open for morning
sun rays. Hence if a staircase is kept in this
corner, it will block the sunlight.
If an internal staircase is in the corner, the room
from which it is accessed cannot be used
properly.
BALCONIES REASONS
IN NORTH OR EAST PART East has morning sun and north has light
throughout the day. Other directions have more
heat.

OFFICE REASONS
SOUTH OR WEST, AVOID IN NE The North and the East are the directions from
which the useful morning light and constant
north-light enter. But we need light in later part
of the day.

STUDY ROOM REASONS

IN WEST DIRECTION Well lit and bright in the evenings due to the
evening sunrays. Hence it is a good location for
a Study room as the children can use it for their
studies in the evenings after school and play.
UPPER FLOORS REASONS
BALCONIES IN NORTH,NORTH EAST OR EAST Allows light in the house, comfortable to sit,
exposed to morning sunlight.
BEDROOMS AND STUDY ON UPPER FLOORS These are the private spaces of the house.

AVOID STORING HEAVY THINGS It will lower the center of gravity of the building
and hence it will be more stable.
MAXIMUM DOORS ON THE NORTH AND EAST This will allow constant light into the house.

CEILING HEIGHTS SHOULD BE LOWER IN UPPER The building will look more stable. Also, heat
FLOORS THAN LOWER FLOORS gain through the roof is lesser.
GATES:
TWO GATES ARE PREFERABLE
AVOID IN THE EXTREME CORNERS
SHOULD FACE THE SAME DIRECTION
AVOID A GATE IN THE SOUTH SIDE
SHOULD OPEN CLOCKWISE
REASON
big gate for the car to enter and a smaller gate
which is easier to handle and for frequent use
inconvenient to open and close a gate
For visitors entering through the gate, it is easier
for them to locate the door if the door is also
facing the same direction as the gate
For the light and ventilation
majority of the population is right-handed, it is
easier to push open a door or gate in the
clockwise direction.

CAR PORCH, GARAGE:

• can be located in the North-West or as second option, the South-East
• Avoid in the South-West and north-east
• Avoid supporting the Car porch on the compound wall
BASEMENT:
• Avoid basements for living areas
• It is preferable to have only part-basement, and that too,
only in the North-East or East of the house
• At least one-fourth of the Basement should be above ground
• Any heavy equipment should be located in the South and
West parts of the Basement
• The height of the Basement walls should be at least 9 feet
• should be painted white and not a dark colour

WATER TANK:
• The Sump should be located in the North-East corner
• should not touch the compound walls or the building walls
• The overhead tank should be in the West or South-West of
the building
• Avoid the Overhead tank in the centre of the building
• should not directly rest on the roof slab
• should be at least 2′ (60cm) above the topmost roof slab
• can be lined with light coloured tiles
PLANTS:
• Smaller shrubs– may be planted on the
East or North sides
• Tall trees– like Coconut can be planted in
the South-West, West sides but should
should not be too close to a building
• Large trees– like Peepal, Banyan should
not be located too near the house
• Good trees– that can be planted in a
house compound are useful trees like
coconut, neem, betel, sandalwood, lemon,
pineapple, bilva, almond, jackfruit,
pomegranate, mango, amla, and katha.
• Avoid flowering trees in gardens: They
shed leaves during the summer.
• Trees with insects, worms, honey bees,
bumble bee, owls, serpents, should be
avoided for obvious reasons.
REFERENCE:
1.) VASTUSHASTRA, BOOK BY WRITER ANIL RAMKRISHNA TARKHEDKAR
2.) http://architectureideas.info/2012/05/vastu-shastra/