VAASTU SHASTRA | AUSPICIOUS TREES, PLANTS

Most people like to have a small garden in the front as well as in the back of the Site. Vaastu Shastra lays down guidelines on all aspects of house designing, including the planting of auspicious trees and plants around the house. 

These trees and plants are useful and beneficial to the health of the inmates and hence Vaastu Shastra highly recommends their planting, if there is space. 

VAASTU TREES FOR THE HOUSE GARDEN:

AVOID PEEPAL TREE - It is also known as the Aswatha tree. It is usually found near temples or temples are erected near Peepal trees. It has a very long life and can survive for centuries. It is prohibited from being cut. However, it is not suitable near a house, since it has far spreading roots which can affect the foundation of the building. 

JACK-FRUIT TREE - Like the 'mango tree, the jack-fruit tree also produces very tasty, seasonal, fruit in large numbers, from which different types of sweets are made. The Jack-fruit's seeds are also nutritious and are used like a vegetable in South India. The beautiful yellow coloured wood from this tree is used to make furniture, doors, windows etc. Its leaves are considered auspicious and are used for puja. Therefore, it is useful and can be planted in your garden.

NEEM TREE - This tree has great medicinal value and its extract is used in pesticides. Its twigs are used to brush teeth and neem oil is used in physiotherapy. Since neem leaves are very bitter, a mixture of neem leaves, tender green mango and jaggery is eaten on Ugadi or the New Year in South India, as a symbolic gesture, that one is prepared to face the sweet, sour and bitter experiences of the coming year with equanimity. Hence this tree can be planted in a house garden.

MANGO TREE - Most of the parts of the mango tree have medicinal value. It's leaves are used as a pesticide, and its twigs are used for brushing teeth. Mango fruit is very tasty. The raw mangoes are used for making pickles and as a vegetable. Its leaves are used for puja purposes. It is considered very auspicious if the dead are cremated using mango tree fire-wood. Mango trees also have a very long life and can survive for 400-500 years. Hence this tree is also a very useful tree to have in your garden.


BANANA TREE - The tender saplings are used for decorating doors of houses, pandals etc, during functions and festivals, as they are symbols of prosperity and wealth. Bananas are available through the year, and are very nutritious. They are rich in potassium and the best source of instant energy. Raw bananas are cooked and eaten like a vegetable. Banana leaves are used for eating traditional meals as they are considered hygienic. So this is a must-have in your garden.

 COCONUT TREE - Every part of this tree is useful. The tender coconut water is a very healthy, cool, low fat drink. The coconut flesh is used in South Indian cooking in large amounts and gives it a distinctive flavour. The oil extracted from coconut is used in cooking as well as a hair oil. Coir is a very useful by-product which is used in making mats, carpets etc. The leaves of the coconut tree are weaved and used as roofing for huts by the poor. Its dry leaves are also used as fire-wood. It has a long life of about 100-150 years and is prohibited from being cut. Due to its usefulness it is considered a sacred tree. Hence it is considered a must, in every one's garden.


SANDAL WOOD TREE- Sandal wood is very expensive as it is used to make exquisite handicrafts, and its oil is very fragrant. Sandalwood paste when applied on the forehead, cools the head, and so is used in temples and in hot places like Kerala. The sandalwood is used to make incence sticks. It is very rare to find sandalwood trees and hence there have been so many instances of robbers cutting down trees in the middle of the night, if found in any house compound. If you like this fragrant tre, it is a good idea to try and grow one- but you may need to secure it!

VAASTU LOCATION OF TREES:
Smaller shrubs- may be planted on the East or North sides, but no trees should be planted in the North-East corner as they block the useful morning sun rays.

Tall trees- like Coconut can be planted in the South-West, West sides but should should not be too close to a building as they block the sunlight completely. A tree should be planted such that it's shadow should not fall on the house, at least between 9.A.M to 3P.M.



Large trees- like Peepal, Banyan should not be located too near the house as their roots can damage the foundation and compound wall. Also, the large trees absorb most of the sunlight, meaning these positive rays will not be received by the building.

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.

Trees with insects, worms, honey bees, bumble bee, owls, serpents, should be avoided for obvious reasons.

If a tree must be removed because it is inauspicious or for other reasons, the day before cutting the tree, one should express regret to the tree, and it must be removed from its rooting. A new tree should be planted in its place within the next three months. This is a way of conserving nature. 

VAASTU PLANTS FOR THE HOUSE GARDEN:

TULASI (BASIL) - It is also known as holy Basil and it is always good to grow a Tulasi plant on one’s property. Tulasi should be located on the North, North-East, or East sides of the house, or in front of the house. Tulasi is a medicinal plant and is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicines. It purifies the blood and improves the digestive system. It is believed to be useful in treating many types of diseases. Hence it is recommended to eat a few leaves every day. Its probably for this reason, that it is considered a sacred plant and used in daily worship.

JASMINE - In general, plants with sweet smelling flowers like jasmine, red lotus, blue lotus etc are good in the house compound as they give out a pleasant perfume, and can also be used in daily worship. Flowers like the Jasmine are stringed together and used as a decoration on the hair by Indian ladies. Moreover, as these flowers are produced round the year, they are always available.

AVOID THORNY PLANTS - Thorny plants should not be planted near the house. Cactus should not be planted at all. Thorny plants other than roses have a negative energy. Ideally all thorny plants should be pulled up and destroyed. The reason could be that the thorns can hurt you when you brush past them.

CREEPERS - Creepers or other plants should not be grown using the building or compound wall as a support. Creepers should only be grown in a garden, and they should have their own independent supports. A money plant can be grown within the house  but should not be grown outside, using a tree for support.

FLOWER POTS - Flower pots should not be kept on the  compound wall  in the North, East or North-East as they will block the useful morning sunlight coming in from these directions. Flower pots and decorative plants can be placed on the ground in these directions, but they should  not grow taller than 3 feet.

LAWNS AND WATER BODIES- Lawns should be in the East or the North.  A small water-fall of three to four feet or a water body  can  be constructed in the East or the North leaving the North-East corner. If there is a swimming pool in the garden, it should be in  the North or North-East direction, so that the people using the pool benefit from the sun rays and also, the water will get purified by the  U.V rays of the Sunlight.

BENCHES - Benches are useful in big gardens and can be placed in the open space in the East and the North direction so that people sitting in these directions, can benefit from the useful sun rays.

The Kitchen garden can have some of these auspicious plants. The front Verandah is accessed from the front Garden. Read the Vaastu tips for the Verandah here:

VAASTU SHASTRA | VERANDAH

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE




VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE

Vaastu Shastra lays down guidelines on the 'design, location, direction and disposition of the Interior and Exterior spaces of a House' so that the inmates absorb the maximum benefits of  the natural elements all around them. When applied correctly, the Vaastu Shastra guidelines create a perfectly balanced, well-lit, well-ventilated, spacious, aesthetic,  and well-designed House which in turn ensures enhanced health, contentment and prosperity for the inmates.

So it makes sense to follow the Vastu Shastra guidelines in the design of a house. 


VAASTU SHASTRA FOR INTERIORS OF A HOUSE:




VAASTU SHASTRA | BASEMENT

In multi-level houses, there may be a Basement. The Basement is  usually meant for Car Parking or for storage etc However some people use the basements for a family room or play room. According to Vaastu, Basements should never be used as living areas. But as long as it is not used for sleeping, it should be okay.

Here are some Vaastu Guidelines to be considered while designing Basements of a House.

LOCATION OF BASEMENT:
  • It is preferable to have only part-basement, and that too, only in the North-East or East of the house:
  • Avoid basements in the South, South-East, or West side.
  • Avoid using basements as living areas.
VAASTU DESIGN FOR BASEMENT:
  • 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:
VAASTU COLOURS FOR BASEMENTS:
  • The Basement wall colours: The basement should be painted white or light colours and not a dark colour. 
This post was about the Vaastu guidelines for the design of Basements. The Basements are used for Garage or for Storage. Read the Vaastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:
SUGGESTED READING:

Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Basement

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

    VAASTU SHASTRA | DOORS AND WINDOWS

    In Vaastu Shastra, the doors and windows should be in the right positions to allow proper flow of air, light and energy from the outside to the inside and from room to room. These Vastu guidelines are based on scientific principles and it makes sense to follow them.

    Here, I have discussed the Vaastu Shastra tips for the correct positions, number of Doors and Windows. 


    NUMBER OF DOORS AND WINDOWS IN A HOUSE:
    • There should be an even number of doors like 2, 4, 6, 8 etc. 
    • Avoid an odd number of doors.
    • There should be an even number of windows in the house, like 2,4,6.8 etc. 
    • Avoid odd number of windows like 1,3,5,7,9 . However, depending on your requirement, you can have any number of windows. 
    LOCATION OF INTERNAL DOORS AND WINDOWS IN A HOUSE:
    GENERAL TIPS:
    • The internal doors can be placed according to the room arrangement and convenience.
    • The internal windows should be opposite to the doors so that both the positive and negative cycles are completed. 
    • The windows in the North wall should be more towards the North-East and should be long and wide.  
    • The windows in the East wall should be more towards the North-East and should be long and wide.
    • Avoid too many windows in the South-West directions.
    BEDROOM: 
    • The door should open 90 degrees into the bedroom.- A door that cannot open fully will limit the flow of opportunities.
    • Door should be positioned in East, West or North. Avoid fixing doors in the South-West of a bedroom.
    • Main Windows should be in East or North. And smaller windows should be in the West.
    STUDY ROOM:
    • Door to the Study Room can be in the North-East or North.
    • Large Windows can be in the East wall.
    • Smaller windows can be in the West wall.
    DINING ROOM:
    • The door leading to the Dining hall can be in the East, North or West.
    • The door of the Dining room and the main entrance door of the house should not face each other directly.
    KITCHEN:
    • The door should be in the North, East or in the North-East corner of the Kitchen.
    • The door should open in a clockwise direction.
    • The ventilators and larger Kitchen windows should be in the East direction.
    • The smaller windows can be in the South.
    • There should be adequate provision for cross ventilation.
    BATHROOM (TOILET):
    • In the Bathroom, if possible, there should be a small window in the East or West and a bigger window in the North after providing for privacy.
    • The door of the Bathroom should be in the East or the North direction as far as possible.
    HOME OFFICE:
    • The entrance Door to the office should be on the South side for maximum business.
    • The Entrance on the North side will create inactivity in the Office.
    • Make sure that you do not keep any obstacles in front of any door of the office.
    • The windows should preferrably be on the North and East side for best quality of day light.
    • Its preferrable to have an odd number of windows and doors in the office for dynamism and for new opportunities.
    LOCATION OF THE MAIN DOOR:

    To figure out where to place a main door, divide the front facade of the house into two parts with an imaginary, middle, vertical line. The door should be placed towards the centre, either in the left or the right half, depending on the direction the house faces.
    • For a East facing House - Avoid placing a door in the South-East, instead place it towards the North-East. The door should not be at the corner of the walls, but a few feet away from the corner junction.
    • For a South-facing House - Avoid placing a door in the South-West, instead place it  towards the South-East. If a house has a main entrance in the South there should be one more corresponding to it in the North direction also. 
    • For a West-facing house - Avoid placing a door in the  South-West, instead place it towards the  North-West. If a house has a main entrance in the South there should be one more corresponding to it in the North direction also.  
    • For a North-facing house - Avoid placing a door in the North-West, instead place it in the left half, that is in the North-East.
    This post was about the Vastu guidelines for the Doors and Windows of a House. The doors and windows are fixed during the construction of the house. Read about the Stages of Construction of a House here:
    • VAASTU SHASTRA | STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION
    SUGGESTED READING:

    Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Doors and Windows

    EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE

    CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA:
    The Council consists of members nominated by:
    • the Central and State Governments;
    • the All India Council for Technical Education;
    • the Institution of Engineers (India);
    • the Institution of Surveyors of India; 
    • and members elected to represent the Indian Institute of Architects 
    • the heads of Institutions imparting Architectural Education.

    TERM OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE:

    The Members of the Council hold office for a term of three years, however, they are eligible for re-election or re-nomination, but not exceeding three consecutive terms.



    EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE:


    The Council constitutes from among its members an Executive Committee, which consists of the President, the Vice-President and five other members. The President and the Vice President of the Council are the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and are elected by the members from among themselves and they hold office for a term of three years.




    MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

    •   Prof. Vijay Shrikrishna Sohoni - Chairman
    •   Shri Vijay Uppal - Vice-Chairman
    •   Shri R.L. Goyal - Member
    •   Shri Mohapatra Kunja Behari - Member
    •   Shri Uday Chandrakant Gadkari - Member
    •   Shri Pranab Kumar Borah - Member
    LIST OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA:
    • Shri J.R. Bhalla - 31-12-1973 to 14-11-1983
    • Shri H.R. Laroya - 15-11-1983 to 31-12-1984
    • Shri Jeet Malhotra - 01-01-1985 to 29-05-1986
    • Shri J.R. Bhalla - 30-05-1986 to 21-10-1997
    • Shri Premendra Raj Mehta - 22-10-1997 to 19-07-2004
    • Prof. Vijay Shrikrishna Sohoni - 20-09-2004 onwards

    COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE

    DEFINITION OF COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE:
    The Central Government has constituted, with effect from 1.9.1972,an autonomous Statutory Body known as the Council of Architecture, which is:
    • a body corporate, 
    • having perpetual succession;
    • a common seal;
    • with power to acquire, hold and dispose off movable and immovable property;
    • power to contract;
    • and may by that name, sue or be sued.

    • The Council of Architecture (CoA), has been constituted by the Government of India under the provisions of the Architects Act, 1972, enacted by the Parliament of India, which also came into force on 1st September, 1972. The CoA is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the Act throughout the country, including Registration of Architects, regulating the Architectural Profession and Architectural Education in India besides maintaining the Register of Architects. For this purpose, the Government of India has framed rules and the CoA has framed Regulations as provided for in the Architects Act, with the approval of the Government of India.

      LOCATION OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA:

      The Head Office of the Council of Architecture is located in the India Habitat Centre. This building serves as a catalyst for a synergetic relationship between individuals and institutions working in diverse habitat related areas, so as to maximise their total effectiveness.

      The address of the Council of Architecture is:

      Council of Architecture,
      India Habitat Centre,
      Core 6-A, Ist Floor,
      Lodhi Road,
      New Delhi-110003.

      CONTACT DETAILS OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA:

      Tel(EPABX Nos.): 011-2465 4172, 011- 2464 8415
      Fax: 011- 2464 7746.
      Website: http://www.coa.gov.in/
      Email: coa@ndf.vsnl.net.in


    VAASTU SHASTRA | HOME OFFICE

    Many people are starting their small businesses from home. So the home office is becoming more and more important as people are spending long hours in there. Since it is a business setup, people are increasingly turning to Vaastu Shastra, to ensure good output, increased profit and efficiency in work.

    The following Vastu Guidelines for a Home Office ensures that its employees will work efficiently, which in turn will be beneficial for the Owner. Vastu principles for offices takes into consideration many factors, which include the most appropriate location for the workplace, direction in which furniture, gadgets, different departments of the office and the reception should be located, etc.


    LOCATION OF THE HOME OFFICE:
    • The ideal location of the Office in the house should be in the South or West part for better focus and concentration.
    • Avoid a Home Office in the North-East sector of the house. This will affect the quality of the work and will mostly stay inactive.
    DOOR, WINDOW POSITIONS IN THE HOME OFFICE:
    • The entrance Door to the office should be on the South side for maximum business activity.
    • The Entrance on the North side will create inactivity in the Office.
    • Make sure that you do not keep any obstacles in front of any door of the office.
    • The windows should preferrably be on the North and East side for best quality of day light.
    • Its preferrable to have an odd number of windows and doors in the office for dynamism and for new opportunities.

    FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT IN THE HOME OFFICE:
    • Always position the furniture in the South and West sectors of the room.
    • Keep the North and East sectors clear/empty for good Vaastu.
    • The central area of the Office should be kept empty.
    • Avoid furniture or closets in the North or East of the room.
    VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR RECEPTION IN A HOME OFFICE:
    • The right place for the reception counter is the North-East part of the office.
    • The receptionist should sit facing the North or East direction.
    VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SAFE IN A HOME OFFICE:
    • The safe should be in the North part of the room in order to gain continuous financial rewards.
    • Store all the important documents in an almirah or safe, placed in the South-West direction.
    VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR OWNER'S DESK IN A HOME OFFICE:
    • It is advisable to have a rectangular desk for the Owner of the company.
    • The desk should be placed in the South-West quadrant of the room. The owner sitting in the North or East part will be unable to make good decisions.
    • The desk should face North, East or North-East. Facing South or West while working will decrease the capability of the person to take good decisions and focus on work.
    • The North and East zones are appropriate for the middle level employees.
    • Reserve the North-West portion for the lower level employees.
    • The employees should not sit under a beam. In case the beam cannot be avoided, cover it with a false ceiling.

    VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR PANTRY AND TOILET IN HOME OFFICE:
    • The best location for the pantry is in the South-East or North-West zone.
    • The appropriate location for the Toilet is the North-East and South-West directions.
    This post is about the Vastu guidelines for the design of a Home Office. Sometimes, the Home Office doubles up as a Study Room. There is a lot of emphasis on having useful sunlight in the Office to improve the performance of the employees and keep them energetic and positive. Read the Vastu guidelines for a Study Room and the scientific explanation about the importance of Sunlight here:
    SUGGESTED READING:

    Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Home Office


    Related Topics:
    VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
    VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
    VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
    VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
    VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
    VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE


      VAASTU COLOURS FOR INTERIORS OF HOUSE

      THE EFFECTS OF COLOURS ON HUMANS:
      Sunlight consists of seven colours namely : Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Each of these colours, governs a particular area of your body and so affects you differently- emotionally, physically and mentally. Colours have the capacity of pacifying your mind and stimulating your energy. Your mood, health, happiness are all affected by the colours around you. 
      Here are the effects of different colours on you:
      • RED: represents power, valor, vitality and zest. It is a warm colour and enlightens your mood the moment you look at it. It ignites passion and desire and creates excitement and enthusiasm for life.
      • ORANGE: Orange color inspires spirituality and has the ability to stimulate your appetite. It enhances communication, positive feelings, cheerfulness and interaction.
      • YELLOW: Yellow is associated with the Sun and so is a very bright and energizing color. It nurtures clarity of mind and natural alertness. Yellow also gives a sense of patience and wisdom.
      • WHITE: White symbolizes purity. It also reflects light and brightens the room.
      • GREEN: Green represents harmony and peace. It is a symbol of nature and so it generates calm and inner peace in the house.
      • BLUE: Blue inspires courage. It also represents nature (the colour of sky and water)and hence has a calming effect on you.
      • PINK: Pink color reflects joy, happiness and pure feelings, essential for a happy life.
      VAASTU COLOURS PRESCRIBED FOR THE INTERIORS OF A HOUSE:

      Colours play a very important role as people respond to the energy of colours around them, either positively or negatively. Preferrably, colours in your surroundings should be subtle and pleasant and not be very bright and stimulating. In Vaastu Shastra, different colours have been prescribed for each room. The specific colours to be used in each room of the house in order to enhance the atmosphere and functionality of the specific room has been listed here:
      • PRAYER ROOM/MEDITATION: Yellow or sandal-coloured walls are just perfect for the prayer room due to their ability to inspire intellectual clarity. Sober, subdued colours like blue, green, yellow or red encourage deep concentration.
      •  BEDROOM : Pink is the ideal colour for the master bedroom and the secondary colours can be light green and light blue. However, red should not be used in the Bedroom, as it is too energizing, overpowering and stressful. Yellow is fine for the elderly. But dark blue should be avoided as it brings gloominess.
      • STUDY ROOM/CHILDREN'S BEDROOM: which is used by young children for study, green colour should be used as it encourages concenteration. For aggressive children, a blue coloured bedroom can be calming.
      • LIVING ROOM: In the Living room, bright colours, shades, and patterns can be used as it is the place to entertain guests and so it should be lively and conducive for pleasant conversations. The best colours are yellow, beige/tan, green or blue.
      • DINING ROOM: In the Dining room, Orange is the best color as it has the ability to stimulate the appetite. Peach colour can also be used. Secondary colours can be pinks, greens, and blues. Avoid black or white or a mixture of black and white as these colours do not stimulate eating.
      • KITCHEN: For the kitchen, white is the best colour as it brightens the space. Besides it is also the colour of purity and cleanliness.
      • LIBRARY: The best colour, however, depends on the type of books that the residents like to read. If they prefer serious books, brown is an appropriate shade. For less serious readers, pale blue, light green or pink are good.
      • BATH ROOM: The ideal colour is white or a mixture of black and white or gray. Pink and other pastel colours are also good.
      Choosing the right colour scheme for a house can ba a difficult task, since there are so many options available. Vaastu Shastra aids you in this. To know more, go to:

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      VAASTU SHASTRA GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNING A HOUSE

      VAASTU SHASTRA FOR INTERIORS OF A HOUSE :  Vaastu Shastra lays down guidelines on the 'design of the Interior of a House'  so th...