VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLE | AESTHETICS

CHANDA - AESTHETICS:

Chanda is the 'aesthetics of buildings'. Chanda in Vaastu literally means, a view of the contour of a structure against the sky, i.e. its perspective view. . The contours of buildings assumed different forms depending on the functions of the buildings. The structures varied for different classes of buildings  and to satisfy different functions and they never were identical.

TYPES OF CHANDAS:

There are six chandas in Vaastu namely, Meru, Khanda Meru, Pataaka Chanda, Sushi Chanda,Uddista and Nasta. They have been explained below along with suitable architectural examples.

MERU CHANDA:

The form of a building is like the mythological, sacred, mountain, "Meru" which is believed to be the seat of the Hindu god Brahma. The Meru perspective appears like a central pinnacle which rises considerably above the ground surface and having sides sloping step by step in an easy gradation all round. Many hindu temples are modelled on the Meru aspect to symbolically represent Mount Meru. Shown here is the Shore temple in Mahaballipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is for me, one of the most proportionate and aesthetic structures that I have seen. Unfortunately it has been eroded by the sea air as it is on the shore and the sharpness in its details has been dulled.

KHANDA MERU:

The outward peripheral ends of the building do not form a complete circle, but has a vertical cut side, i.e., it appears like Meru which has been cut off vertically leaving the exposed surface as a precipitous cliff. An example of a building with this contour is the well known Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, the second tallest hotel in the world at a height of 1050 feet.

PATAAKA CHANDA:

The building appears to be like a flagstaff with a flag unfurled, i.e. with a narrow lower portion and progressive, cantilevered upper floors. An example of such a form is the Throne Pillar at Fatehpur Sikri, India.

SUSHI CHANDA:

The building has the appearance of a needle. An example of such a form is the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa towers in Dubai at a height of 2717 feet.

UDDISTA and NASTA CHANDAS:

They are not independent and they have no perspective views of their own.

This post was about the Vaastu Shastra principle | Chanda or Aesthetics of Buildings. It explains the different forms/shapes that can be used in the design of buildings. Read about another 'Vaastu Shastra principle | Site Orientation', which explains the importance of Orientation in the design of buildings:

• VAASTU SHASTRA | SITE ORIENTATION

SUGGESTED READING:

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

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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