How do I design a Pooja Room?

Sunita Vellapally Sunita Vellapally
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When designing the interiors of a home, the pooja space is one of the areas that needs to be given a lot of importance. After all, the energy from this area can spread good vibrations throughout the house, contributing to your wellness, wealth and happiness. However, gone are the days when the pooja room occupied a large area in the house. Nowadays, in most modern apartments and houses in India, the limited space restricts the pooja area to a small corner. Sometimes, the mandir is built into a cabinet or closet so that the rest of the room doesn’t look cramped.

How do you design a pooja room for a modern home without leaving out any of the significant details that are essential for the space to emit positive energy? In today’s ideabook, we focus on the elements that go into making a perfect pooja area.

In which direction should the idols face in the pooja room?

Vastu Shastra recommends that the idols in the pooja room should be placed so that they face either the east or the west. Additionally, the idols should be placed on an elevated platform and not directly on the ground. Since pooja rooms need to be spotless, keeping the idols off the floor also makes daily cleaning easier. In a small pooja space, you can design a tiered platform that saves space while allowing you to arrange the idols in an organized manner. If the idols are mounted on the wall, they can rest on tiny shelves. Remember to leave at least a half-inch gap between the idol and the wall so that the energy in the area flows freely.

Get more tips on designing a pooja room according to Vastu Shastra.

Which direction or corner of the house is ideal for the pooja room?

The ancient Indian architectural system, Vastu Shastra, prescribes certain directions as being more auspicious for pooja and meditation spaces. In any home, the ideal location for a pooja room is in the Northeast direction. However, not every house might have a corner in this direction to arrange a pooja space. The best alternatives, if the northeast cannot be used for the pooja room, are either the north or the east, as these directions get sunlight in the early mornings, which is the time when most people perform pooja. The sunlight also renews the energy in the area. The pooja room should not be located next to a toilet as it has negative energy.

You can consult an interior architect to figure out whether you can create a pooja area in an auspicious direction.

What is the ideal size for the idols in a pooja room?

Many temples have large idols, but in a house, it’s best that the size of the idol does not exceed three inches. Idols should never be placed facing one another. Ensure that they are in perfect condition, without any chips or cracks. A damaged idol must be removed from the pooja room, but don’t discard it in the trash. Immerse it in flowing water such as a river or a stream.

Depending on which god you have in the pooja room, there are preferred directions in which the statue should face. Vishnu, Brahma, Indra and Surya should be placed in the east so that the idols look towards the west. Similarly, Ganesh, Durga and Kuber should be in the north, facing the south. Since the southeast is the direction that represents fire, avoid placing an idol or image of Hanuman in this direction as it represents the wind and can create an imbalance in the energy in the room.

How should you design the pooja room entrance?

Whether you have the luxury of a separate pooja room or install a small mandir in a corner of your house, it should have beautiful doors, which should open outwards. In general, a double door design is preferable to a wide single door that takes up more space when it opens. The door can be decorated with brass or other metal details such as bells or studs to make the space look lovely. Wood is ideal for a pooja room door as it is a natural material. If your pooja area is a corner that doesn’t receive sufficient natural light, then it’s a clever idea to incorporate glass panels on the door so that it benefits from the ambient light in the adjoining room. The doorway should have a threshold so that it deters insects from entering the room.

What type of flooring should be used in a pooja room?

The pooja room flooring should add beauty to the space besides being easy to clean. Additionally, choosing the right colour for the flooring can enhance the look of the space. White marble is the best option for the flooring in the pooja room as it brings an aura of purity to the space. Ceramic tiles are also a viable alternative, but you should stick to lighter shades so that the vibe in the area is relaxing and perfect for prayer and meditation. Avoid wood on the pooja room floor as it can get spoiled by hot oil spills that will prove a challenge to clean or maintain regularly.

How to create the perfect ambiance in the pooja room for meditation

The pooja room is a space where you pray or meditate. Therefore, the ambiance in the area should be calm and relaxing. It should also be bright and with a positive vibe. Choosing the right colours for the walls can help to create the perfect setting for meditation. Pastel shades such as cream, white, lavender, light blue and pale green are ideal colours for the pooja room as they help to create a soothing atmosphere in the room. In general, it’s best to avoid using a bold colour in the pooja space as it can introduce too much energy into the room and disturb the calmness that is essential for meditation.

Get inspired by these serene pooja room ideas.

What sort of lighting should be used in a pooja room?

There’s nothing like natural light to brighten up a pooja space. Ideally, the pooja room should have a window through which sunlight can enter the area. However, in small homes, especially in apartments, this might not be possible. In such cases, illumination systems can be designed to bring the right amount of light into the space. When designing the lighting system in a pooja room, remember not to make the area too bright as it will distract from the peacefulness of the space by bringing a lot of energy. Installing soft or diffused lighting is the best option as it won’t disturb the ambiance. For the pooja room, use warm yellow bulbs in favour of cold white ones so that the area has a positive vibe. The pooja room will also have light from the oil lamps, so don’t forget to take this into consideration when deciding on the lighting in the space.

Designing a perfect pooja room is not as simple as it seems, so it’s best to work with a professional interior designer who assesses your requirements, including the number and the sizes of the idols and pooja accessories that you need to include in the area. The space should be kept neat and clutter free, so don’t forget to build sufficient storage space where pooja items such as oil, wicks, incense sticks, brass lamps, bells and matchboxes can be stored.

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