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According to Vastu Shastra, orientation of a Site is one of the most important criteria to be considered when selecting a Site. Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines to aid you in the Selection of a Site with the ideal ‘Orientation’. Since Vastu is a science, every guideline is based on logic and reasoning. As an Architect, I have attempted to explain these guidelines rationally and scientifically, so that you can decide what you want to follow and what you don’t, instead of blindly following them like a superstition.
WHAT DOES ‘SITE ORIENTATION’ MEAN?
Site Orientation means the position of the Site with respect to the Cardinal directions (or the points of the Compass). The Site’s orientation is identified by the direction that the front of the Site faces. When you stand in the Site and face the road, the directon you face is said to be the Site’s orientation. So, a Site with a road in the North, is called a North facing Site.
WHAT ARE THE CARDINAL DIRECTIONS RECOGNISED BY VASTU SHASTRA?
Vastu Shastra recognises eight Cardinal directions, which are identifiable depending on the position of the Sun in the sky. They are:
East (poorva): It is common knowledge that the Sun rises in the East.
West (Paschima): The Sun sets in the West.
North (Uttara): When one faces the East, the direction to the left is the North.
South (Dakshina):When one faces the East, the direction to the right is called the South.
The corner where two Cardinal directions meet, is also significant since it combines the forces emanating from both the directions.
North-East (Eeshanya): This is where the North and East meet.
North-West (Vaayavya): This is where the North and the West meet.
South-West (Nairuthya): This is where the South and the West meet.
South-East (Aagneya): This is where the South and the East meet.
WHY IS ‘SITE ORIENTATION’ IMPORTANT IN VASTU SHASTRA?
In Vastu Shastra, the Sun considered the ‘Giver of Life’ plays an important role in the design of buildings. When planning the layout of buildings, they are designed such that the inmates benefit from the useful effects of the morning Sun’s UV radiation which helps in the synthesis of Vitamin D in their bodies, while being protected from the intense heat of the infra-red rays of the afternoon Sun. As such, the most frequently used rooms during the day are oriented towards the East (for morning sunlight) and the North (for constant sunlight in India) whereas the rooms that are used mostly at night are placed to the South and the West.
Thus, the layout of a House and it’s rooms has been prescribed in Vastu Shastra, according to the position of the Sun, through the day, from the time it rises in the East to the time it sets in the West. Depending on the Orientation of the Site, it becomes either easier or more difficult to design the layout of the House. This is why ‘Site Orientation’ is important in the Selection of a Site.
ACCORDING TO VASTU SHASTRA, WHICH IS THE BEST DIRECTION FOR A SITE?
Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines to aid you in the Selection of a Site with the ideal Orientation. These guidelines are based on Common sense, Scientific reasoning and logic, since Vastu is a Science and not a Superstition. According to Vastu Shastra:
All directions are considered good and each has it’s own advantages. The Reasoning- In any city or town, there are roads in all four directions and naturally there have to be houses on both sides of the roads. Also, the city looks more aesthetic if there are houses in all the four directions. Hence, according to Vastu, all plots are considered good. It is the pseudo Vastu pundits who say that South or West facing sites are not good.
East facing Site: is good for scholars, philosophers, priests, professors, teachers etc. The Logic- East (morning sun rays) is considered the source of enlightenment.
North facing Site: is good for those in power, administration and those who work for government.
South facing Site: is good for business class and for those who work in business organisations.
West facing Site: is for those who provide supporting services to the society.
The Reasoning- The reason why Vastu attributes each direction to a different class of people, is because in ancient times, Indian society was divided into four classes of people, based on their occupations. But gradually these classes became castes and there was very little social mixing between the castes and so people of each caste preferred being with their own people. Hence their homes were grouped together.
In a Site that does not squarely face the cardinal directions: then it’s axis is not parallel to the magnetic axis (North-South axis) of the Earth. In such a case, the house should be built on the Site facing the four directions. There is a technical procedure by which the cardinal points are ascertained for the orientation of the buildings. It should be done in the centre of the plot which is considered the naval of the Vaastu Purusha. The Reasoning- In order to benefit from the useful effects of the Sun and other natural elements, it is better if the house is built facing the cardinal directions.
This post was about the importance of ‘Site Orientation’ in the Selection of a Site. Read about another important Vastu Shastra consideration when Selecting a Site, namely:
Related Topics:
- VASTU SHASTRA
- VASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
- VASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
- VASTU GUIDELINES | SELECTION OF SITE
- VASTU GUIDELINES | DESIGN OF A HOUSE
- VASTU GUIDELINES | STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION
- LOGIC BEHIND SUPERSTITIONS
