The ancient Indian text Mayamata, written thousands of years ago, describes Vastu Sastra - the science of ancient Indian architecture. Hindu mythology explains the history of how it all started.

In the beginning, Brahma, the creator of the Universe, experimented with the creation of a new creature. He created a large and monstrous creature that grew so rapidly that its shadow fell on the earth as a permanent eclipse. After that this ever growing monster began to devour everything in its path as nothing could satisfy its insatiable hunger.

Shiva and Vishnu begged Brahma to do something before everything was destroyed by this Creature. Brahma realised his mistake and called the astha dikapalakas, the Gods of the eight cardinal directions. Together they overpowered the Great Monster and held it flat against the earth. Then Brahma jumped in the middle and held the monster down. He then asked another forty four Gods to join him and help pin it down. Their 45 positions can be seen on the classic mandala of the Vastu Grid.

Then the Monster cried “You created me like this. So why am I being punished for what you made me?” Brahma offered him a compromise and made the Monster immortal with the boon that he would be worshipped by any mortal that builds a structure on earth. He was named Vastu Purusha.

There is another interesting story of Vastu Purusha in Matsya Purana. It narrates the birth of Vastu Purusha. In an encounter with a Rakshasa called Andhikasur, Lord Shiva became tired and exhausted, and he began to sweat profusely. A man was born out of the drops of Lord Shiva’s sweat. He looked very cruel. He was very hungry and began to make penance to appease Lord Shiva and to get a boon from him. Lord Shiva was pleased with his penance and appeared before him. The devotee prayed to Lord Shiva, “Oh Lord! Please permit me to eat away all the three worlds.” Lord Shiva granted his prayer. He got possession of all the three worlds and was about to eat the terrestrial world. The celestial beings, Brahma, Shiva, and the demons were terrified and they caught hold of the devotee and encircled him. Forty-five deities caught hold of the devotee and pressed him down. This Devotee has been in that position ever since that time. Lord Brahma blessed him and said that he would be the deity of all the plots and constructions, and offerings would be made to him. In return Vastu Purusha is said to be taking care of the inmates of the building.

A building, whether it be a residential house or a industrial concern, it should be constructed obeying all the principles and rules given in Vastu Shastra. Five rules have been incorporated in them on the basis of the great Indian saints. By establishing them in proper place as directed by Vaastu Shastra accidents and loss of property and persons can be avoided. It is the moral duty of human beings to work cautiously and carefully and mould the actions and behaviour in accordance with the set norms so that there may not arise any sort of difficulty in his works or constructions ever in future; and he may lead a peaceful and happy life following the customs and traditions of the society and norms set in the culture. Enjoying the bliss of healthy long life with family, he may find out the ways and means of getting rid of all troubles and losses. This is possible only on the basis of knowledge and knowledge requires experience. Too incorporate the deeds and experiences of the forefathers or of our own in current situations in life, so as to enjoy the worldly pleasures is what we call experience. Happiness can be enjoyed for whole of the life.

Therefore, no worldly troubles and disturbances come in way of the construction of any kind made in conformity with the principles and norms of Vaastu Shastra. Diving troubles can also be avoided or removed by performing certain rituals according to one’s own belief and religion; and mental peace and self satisfaction can be achieved.

Just as we think of the taste, presence of any worm/germ etc. and benefit or otherwise of eating a plum before we eat it, in the same manner we should be careful and think twice before starting any construction work.

The progress of any construction work is hindered or slowed down only if it is not in accordance with the procedure given in Shastras, where the good or evil effects of all the steps right from selection of site to residing in the house constructed have been considered.

Generally it is seen that many cinema halls have been erected without caring much of the Vaastu-Gyan. Such halls remain incomplete and inspite of several efforts it can not be completed successful; even if these are completed some how, they do not run profitabily. Many Cinema halls have either been closed or these are being converted into a commercial complex or residential flats. If we go deep into the cause behind it, we find either the site was not selected according to the norms or foundation or was not laid in auspicious moment, or there had been some default as per Vaastu-principles in the construction etc.

Therefore the following facts relating to Vastu in cinema halls and studios should be borne in mind and followed by the persons related to this business -

(1) Before constructing the cinema hall or studio, the land site should be properly selected according to Vastu principles and confirmed that the land is ‘live’.

(2) Some learned astrologer should be consulted to know about the favourability of stars in the business and in case of any adversity, efforts to avoid the difficulties should be done under his guidance.

(3) The land should be sloping towards the north-east direction.

(4) Building of the cinema hall should be constructed keeping it elevated and heavy on the west and south.

(5) Screen and stage should be in the north or east and the balcony should be constructed in the west-south.

(6) Viewers should face towards east or north while seeing a film.

(7) Generally it has been found that the cinema halls which had screen in the west or south (so that the viewers had to face towards west or south ) have either been closed down or are have been running in heavy losses. The oldest and famous Ram Prakash Talkies in Jaipur, Amber Talkies, Shalimar Talkies etc. are examples of the same.

(8) The machine room to project the film on the screen should be built in the south or west direction.

(9) Generator and electric power etc. should be installed in the south-east corner where only these will be auspicious.

(10) Toilets for the public should be constructed in the south near the south-west (Nairutya) corner or in the west near north-west corner, such that people face towards north or south while using the toilet.

(11) Entrance in the hall should be from south-west and exit in the north-east direction. Doors should be provided in proper auspicious position as per Vaastu Chakra. In a hall facing east, entrance should be from the north side and in a hall facing north, entrance from the east is auspicious.

(12) Canteen and restaurant should be allotted a place in the east near the south-east (agneya) corner. In alternative situation it can be near the north-west corner in the north.

(13) Car parking, cycle stand, etc. should be there in the south-west portion.

(14) Enough open space should be kept all around the cinema hall. Lawn and park should be placed in the south west corner of the roof.

(15) Over head water tanks should be placed in the south west corner of the roof.

(16) The north-west corner should be kept low and light; it should always be kept neat and clean. Arrangement should be made in this corner for worship (Puja)

(17) The chamber of the manager should be in the south-west portion, and the manager should sit facing north or east in his room. Office will also be auspicious in this direction.

(18) Generally Friday is considered to be the auspicious day for release of a film of starting the shooting of a film. In astrology Venus (Shukra) is supposed to be the god of worldly knowledge, pleasures and art. If favour of Shukra grah (Planet Venus) is gained by special efforts, it would be much fruitful in the matters relating to music, drawing, dance, poetry and drama, writing, wearing new clothes, decoration, film shooting, get-together, etc.

(19) There should not be any kind of pit or low area in the vicinity of the cinema hall in south or west direction.

(20) A pit or low in the north or east is auspicious, water tank, bore well, constructed below the floor level of the hall in north-east direction for drinking water is auspicious and beneficial. Dirty waste water should be drained out on the south-west side. Rain water should flow and out towards the north-west side.

(21) Slope of the cinema hall should be toward the north-east. Roof of the hall should also be sloping in east or north directions.

(22) Ticket (Booking) window should be in east-north directions and viewers should also sit facing towards east or north.

(23) Office of the accountant and the engineer should be in south-east portion.

Vastu Advice For The Movie / Cinema Halls
These should provide proper entertainment and should be free from any danger risk. If the rules of the vastu are violated, there will be fewer visitors and it can be open to some accident risk.

We have to take care of the following points while studying about the vastu of the theatres.

• The proper location of the movie hall
• The exteriors of the office like shape, slope, height, water level
• The location of the beams
• The direction of the Entrance
• The direction & placement of the ticket window
• The direction & placement of the screen
• The direction & placement of the administration block
• The direction & placement of the manager room
• The direction & placement of the projector room
• The direction & placement of the canteen
• The direction & placement of the entertainment counter
• The direction & placement of the toilets
• The direction & placement of the medial room
• The direction and placement of the electrical equipment like generators, inverters
• The direction and placement of the stairs
• The direction & placement of the pantry/kitchen
• The direction & placement of the water products
• The direction and placement of the water boring
• The direction and placement of the staff underground water tank
• The direction and placement of the overhead water tank
• The direction and placement of the septic tank or the waste disposal
• The direction & placement of the parking

Industrial Structures
Industrial structures need special attention in Vaastu analysis. In an industrial environment, the human potential is exploited to its maximum in multidisciplinary activities-production clubbed with leadership function, research activity clubbed with market dynamics, achieving impedance-free movement of men and materials in crowded workplace etc. This balancing act needs a perfect understanding of contribution of each of the Vaastu directions to the overall industrial space.

The Indian insight into Vastu planning is based on the concept of energy helix. This permits analysis of each part of the structure at individual level and then synthesizing these into the total structure. Vaastu shastra considers a Vaastu as a living being and as such, clubs the energetic of the Vaastu with various parameters to make it lively. The character of a living entity is always reflected in its shape, form, size, and looks. Similarly, qualities like’ harmony and rhythm are part of a symmetric structure. In industrial structures, the contribution of various directions is analysed on the basis of form and shape of structure, as well as the plot.

Considering the characteristics in an industrial structure, the following points can be noticed :-

North Light Structures

The concept of ‘North Light Structure’ has been borrowed from Europe where temperatures remain within 15 degrees Celsius throughout the year. But, in tropical countries like India, most of the time the sun remains in the southern zone. Even in the ‘Uttarayan’ (the winter solstice) the decline is hardly 10 degrees relative to the North. As such, the temperature differentials during the day exceed 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. In such a situation, projecting entire roof surface to the south to get northern light is an act of ignorance from environmental considerations. Due to high thermal absorption, such types of roofs disturb the entire electromagnetic field aligned with the structure. As per Vastu science, these structures tend to capture what is known as ‘South Rhythm’. Case studies reveal that industrial units with these types of roofs suffer from low productivity and poor growth. All such structures need critical changes for achieving qualitative environmental enrichment.

North-South Length

If the North-South length of the industrial workshop is substantially larger than the East-West breadth, perimeter projected to solar radiation is minimized and results in cool healthy environment. Vaastushastra maintains that all the activities follow an ordered and disciplined pattern if the North-South axis is greater than the East-West axis.

Work Environment for Executives and Staff

Vaastushastra recommends that important executives should face the North direction with their sitting position in the Southwest zone. All the staff and workers should face East with their activity zone located in Central, Northern, or Eastern zones. From Vaastu energetic point of view, Southwest zone represents the highest point of the helix, and decisions taken in the confines of Southwest zone flow without friction to lower boundaries of the structure. The North-facing executives benefit from eternal flow and properly tuned psyche.

Zoning of Industrial Activities

In an industrial undertaking multiple activities are taking place simultaneously. To achieve better co-ordination and cohesion in these activities, it is desirable that specific operations are restricted to definite zones on the basis of involved energy levels.

Activity                                                        Zone
Research and development                        Northeast

Heavy loads and activity                           Southwest

Thermal activity                                        Southeast

Finished products                                    Northwest

Accounts and legal activity                          East

Chief Executive’s cabin                           Southwest

Toilets/Canteen/Retiring Room                   West

Landscaping and Loads

Landscaping plays an important role in providing cosmic envelope to the Vaastu. Reshaping of a plot by landscaping is the simplest way to rectify the incorrect shapes and slopes in the plot. Remarkable improvement in the Vastu energetic results from the formation of external helix through load relocation in landscaping and planting of specific trees in landscaped gardens. In respiration process of the plants, rare gases are emitted, enriching the environment. This apart, the environment benefits from the plant biorhythm.

If any digging or excavation has taken place in Southwest, Southeast, or Northwest zones for locating underground vessels or water tanks or septic tank, this source of negative energy should be compensated by material loading at landscape stage.

Exposed water-bodies in the North or Northeast zones are abundant sources of organic energy, as the sunlight is polarised in transverse direction by these water surfaces. The Northeast zone lies in the solar shadow region resulting in low thermal activity, which endows this zone with natural quality of harmony as far as electromagnetic energy is concerned. The same quality is transmitted along with the polarised organic energy from the North and Northeast zones.

To reduce the extended Southeast related ill effects in some plots, water body in the Southeast zone is sometimes advisable.

The Helix

It is said that life flows without friction and remains in natural rhythm if it is based on the logic of the ‘Helix’. The helix form is followed right from the smallest virus to the gigantic ‘Milky Way’. Most ancient scriptures refer to helix as the sacred curve. There are five different methods for implementing the ‘helix’ in a plot or a house, for effective Vaastushastra remedies.

1. Rhythmic compound or boundary along a plot for linking solar stream qualities to the ground profile.
2. Landscaping and locating loads to peripheral zones of the plot to redefine the relationship between the ground and the structure.
3. Varying levels in plinths as per the load characteristics of the Vaastu-kshetra directions add to the vertical rhythm. The recommended pattern is as follows;

Northeast zone lowest level

Southeast zone level higher than NE zone

South zone higher than SE zone

Southwest zone higher than South zone

The helix in the plinth through this method can also be attained.

Pattern of flooring as per the requirements of the directions;

• Marble in the Northeast, North, or East zone reflects the photon energy and maintains the East and the North as source directions of positive energy.

• Agra red stone in the Southeast zone suits the thermal activity of the zone.

• Yellow Jaisalmer or Marble or Shahabad stone matches the Southwest zone characteristics, as yellow colour represents ‘Prithvi-Tatwa’, which has higher gravitational rhythm.

• Kota or Tandoor stone may be used in the Northwest zone.

Vaastu Analysis for an Industrial Unit General

Vaastu shastra is a science dealing with natural forces and energies, some directly experienced and some hidden. On the face of it, this discipline looks mysterious and ambiguous. But, all its rules and regulations can be traced to the basic sciences, particularly to the principles of physics pertaining to forces and energies.

Here we will present Vastu analysis for a typical industrial structure - buildings for a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. For buildings housing medicine production facility, the concepts of quantum healing and energetic are of utmost importance. Vaastushastra has immense scope in such cases to provide virtuous bliss of Nature to the whole production set-up.

Multiple paths are available for improving any given Vastu situation. Here we are outlining the concepts and methodology involved in this process.
At the site, it is possible to offset any asymmetry by variations in landscaping, if the plot is of odd non-regular geometric shape.
By adjusting floor heights and plinths, it is possible to achieve harmony and rhythm suitable for the given ground profile.
Influencing the virtues and qualities of Vastu directions as per the Vaastu-Purush-Mandal can compensate steep slopes in the ground terrain and odd shapes of the plot.
Planting of specific trees suited for Vastu directions can diminish the bad effects of incorrect eddy gradients in the plot.
Compound wall can be used to reshape the plot so as to achieve order and discipline in the site plans.
Analysis of the energy-matter relationship can help in equalizing slopes in the ground.
Landscaping and use of exposed water surfaces can attain cosmic helix in the building environment.
By reorienting and adjusting doors, windows and openings, it is possible to minimize surface exposure to the sun.
By blocking the energy flux through shadows and shades, the Jaivik electromagnetic flux can be enhanced to a certain degree.

Landscape Details

To achieve harmony with nature and bliss in the surrounding environment, it is essential that a definite shape is given to the plot and it is aligned properly with the geomagnetic axis. For the plot under study, the following measures are recommended as per Vaastu shastra;
-Provision of a heavy compound wall 24 inch thick and 7 ft high on Southwest zone, gradually reducing it to 18 inch thick and 5 ft high on Southeast side, and 9 inch thick - 3 ft high on the North and East sides. To match the shape, size, and periphery of ‘Vaastu-kshetra’ with the ‘helix’ pattern, these varying compound wall depths, widths, and heights are very useful. The helical alignment of compound wall balances the vices and virtues related to Vaastu directions and sub-directions.
-Provision of marble finish lunar shaped water-pool in the Northeast corner, having outside perimeter 20 ft, inside perimeter 15 ft, and depth 5 ft. -Circular water-body with diameter 8 ft and depth 3 ft can also be provided. The exposed water surface in the Northeast polarises the solar rays in transverse direction and thus, creating a source for ordered Jaivik energy.
-Filling of pits in the Southwest, West, and South zones to attain ground slopes towards the North and East. This procedure offsets the energy-matter imbalance on account of heavy stress concentration in the Southwest zone. Elevating the Southwest zone in a Vaastu-kshetra reorients the cosmic energy flow to simulate a cosmic energy helix in the environment.
-The North and the East Side margins should be twice as much as those in the South and West.
-Provision of heavy ‘Gurutwa’ pedestal load in the Southwest corner of the plot. The aligned geomagnetic fields of a Vastu are disturbed due to high thermal activity in the Southwest zone. The disturbed energy fields can be balanced through heavy loads in this zone.
-Planting of trees around the periphery of the property based on ‘Vruksha- Vichar’. Apart from the specific trees and plants indicated below, Audumber and Neem. trees are to be planted on South side to provide humid environment that aids in environmental enrichment through reduction in temperatures.

West/Northwest zone is governed by the great element ‘Vayu’ and as such, planting of medicinal shrubs an Nilgiri on West gives aroma and bliss to entire Vastu.
-Main buildings should be placed in the Southwest zone an aligned in such a manner that North-South axis of building should match with the geomagnetic axis. The shape of the building should be rectangular.
-Bore-well should be provided in the Northeast comer.
-Septic tank should be located in the Northwest zone.
-Provision of pyramid-like structures made of organic matter like bamboo or wood over Southwest passages. The dimensions of the pyramid could be 8-ft X 8-ft base and 3 f height.

Internal Changes for the Vaastu
-Provision of 18-inch thick wall in the Southwest zone. The South and West zones are exposed to intense solar radiation due to the Sun’s East to -Southeast to Southwest to West sojourn through the sky. Thicker Southwest walls act as shields against intense heat and keep the internal building areas cool.
-Raising of the Southwest plinth by 6 inches. The Southwest zone is heavily loaded and or raised to compensate the imbalance in matter and energy due to heavy stress concentration.
-Provision of maximum possible openings or ventilators in the North and East to maintain balanced Pranik and Jaivik energy flow through the Vaastu.
-Arranging East-side entry for the workers and North-side entry for the proprietors and executives.
-Provision of additional floor in the Southwest zone. This helps in equalizing the disturbed matter and energy balance in this zone on account of stress concentration.
-Provision of slopes towards the North and the East. Sloping chajjas can be provided for this purpose.
-Provision of terraces in the North and East, with levels in these zones lower than the South and West zones, to satisfy the concept of helix formation through level shifting.
-Minimization of openings and ventilators in the South and West zones. If openings in these zones are unavoidable, then tilted bay windows can be provided for simulating sunlight entry from the North and East. It is to be noted that source of light in the South implies that Pranik energy is in mutual opposition with North-South geomagnetic flux lines, which is a source of Jaivik energy.
-Alignment of heavy machinery and heavy storage units in the South, Southwest, and West zones.
-Provision of flooring to obtain the helix effect.
Northeast White - Marble
Southwest - Yellow Shahabad / Jaisalmer
Southeast - Pink or Red Agra
Northwest - Kota Stone
Southwest - Yellow
Southeast - Pink or Red
Northeast - Glossy White
Northwest - Mat Finish Blue or Green

-Painting scheme as per the well defined ‘Ranga-Shastra’ principles in Vaastu science. The colour variation based on five great elements and horoscope helps in attaining helix Format in a Vastu.
-Placing of all light fittings and electrical points on the North and East sides.

The analytical approach adopted here has benefited the pharmaceutical unit immensely; in management-workers relationship and in smooth running of the plant at optimum levels. Taking recourse to Vastu principles at planning stage has distinct advantages - smooth progress of work and salubrious working conditions.

For industries too, the selection of site is very important. Besides the fact that sufficient water and electricity should be available, the vastu of the plot, plot such as the shape of the plot, the roads facing the plots and the ground levels inside and outside the site are very important points that are to be observed.

The various principles of Vastu, which aid in setting up an industry, are as follows.
-Main roads towards east, north or north-east are advisable with wide gates on two sides.
-Gates in north-east or east or north or north-west are recommended
-Guard room should be either on north-west side of north gate of southeast side of east-gate.
-Minimum space should be kept in south and west where big trees could be grown. More open space should be left in north and east where lawns and other greenery can be grown.
-The floor levels in south-west must be higher than other sides and height of the building also must be higher than all the other corners. Care has to be taken to have the store rooms in south-west fully loaded with stocks to the extent possible As and when the stocks are consumed they should be replaced immediately.
-Car parking may be provided in north-west if open area is available. For light vehicles north east also could be used.
-Administrative Officers are to be located either in north or east, away from boundary walls with less height than the main factory. Here special care has to be taken in keeping north east corner open.
-Staff quarters may be constructed in south-east and north-west. If quarters are multi-storied and if the height is more than that of main factory, they should be constructed in south-west without touching the main premises.
-Toilets should be placed in north-west or south-eastern part of the buildings, and not in north-east or south-west.
-Wells, bore wells, water sumps and water ponds etc… should be in the north-eastern area.
-Over head tanks may be erected in west and nearby, duly maintaining the heights. South-west and north-east sides including north and east should be avoided, for constructing overhead tanks. This is a bit controversial subject and hence one should be very careful in locating the overhead tanks and also the water tanks above the ground level.
-Heavy machinery has to be installed in south, west or south-west in the factory.
-Raw materials storage, whether inside factory or sheds outside, should be in south or west or south-west.
-Products under process or unfinished goods may be kept in west direction.
-Finished products are to be kept in the north-west corner. It will help for quick movement of the stocks.
-Weighing machine may be located near the gate either in north or east because that area is not subjected to permanent weight. Transformers, generators, motors, boilers, furnaces, oil engines should be kept in south-east or close to south-east.

DAIRY PLANT
1. Store the plastic bags in the south.
2. Boiler and other instruments that involve exchange of heat must be installed in the south-west corner or in the south.
3. Packing machine must be installed in the north or in the north-west corner.
4. Store the packed milk in the north or north-eastern corner.
5. Install the compressors in the west.
6. Store the curd in the north.

COLD DRINKS AND ICE CREAM PLANTS
1. Install the fridge and other cooling plants in the south-east corner or in the south.
2. Raw milk and other materials ought to be stored in the north-western corner.
3. Empty bottles, cans, saucers, filling and aerating machines must be installed in the south.
4. Shopping outlets for cold drinks and ice creams must face the north.

ICE FACTORY
1. All the equipments and plants must be installed in the south-east corner or south.
2. Tools for cutting ice must also be stored in the south-eastern corner or in the south.
3. Manufactured ice must be stored in the north-western corner or in the north.
4. Water tank must be installed in the north-west, north or west.
5. Cash box must be kept in the north or in the north-eastern corner.

CHEMICAL FACTORY
1. Boiler of the chemical factory must be installed in the south-eastern corner or in the south.
2. Prepared goods may be stored in the north as well as in the south but the raw materials must be kept in the south only.
3. Poisonous and highly reactive chemicals should be stored in the south-eastern, north-eastern or in the north-western corners.
4. Empty glass or plastic bottles should be stored in the south.
5. Filling of chemicals in the bottles must be carried in the south.
6. Mixing of the chemicals and their reactions should take place in the south.

MACHINERY INDUSTRY
1. Lathe machine and boiler must be installed in the south-eastern corner or in the south.
2. Store room must be built in the south or in the north.
3. Iron sheet, rods, balls, fresh and junk etc. as well as toilet, urinal etc. should be located in the south-western corners.
4. Store and the manufacturing division must be in the west.
5. Canteen must be situated in the south.
6. There should be no pillar at the centre of the industry.
7. Welding facility must be situated in the south-eastern corner or in the south.
8. There should be an underground water tank in the north-eastern corner or in the west.
9. Stairs, if required, must be given in the south-western corner.
10. Gate of the factory must be given in the north or in the south.

These above mentioned rules apply equally to the factories producing electronic goods, autoparts, cement, cooking gas, petrol etc.

Vastu Advice For The Industry
Industries should be such in such a manner that the production should increase and so the movement of finished goods. If they violate the principles of vastu, that can lead to less production, no sale, problem with labour or any hazardous risk.

We have to take care of the following points while studying about the vastu of the industry.
-Proper location of the industry regarding roads.
-The exteriors of the office like shape, slope, height, water level
-The location of the beams
-The location of the basement
-The direction of the Entrance
-The direction & placement of the windows
-The direction & placement of the heavy machines
-The direction & placement of the employees
-The direction & placement of the owner
-The direction & placement of the raw materials
-The direction & placement of the finished goods
-The direction and placement of the electrical equipment like generators
-The direction and placement of the stairs
-The direction & placement of AC, cooler, audio systems
-The direction & placement of the oven
-The direction & placement of the pantry/kitchen
-The direction & placement of the toilets
-The direction & placement of the water products
-The direction and placement of the administrative area
-The direction and placement of the guard room
-The direction and placement of the staff quarters
-The direction and placement of the water boring
-The direction and placement of the staff underground water tank
-The direction and placement of the overhead water tank

Hotels and Restaurants are built for the public as a business centre where people come and stay temporarily for some time and after having rest, meals, etc. proceed on for their destination. Thus the benefits of hotel and restaurant are two folds - to the customers restaurants for good and delicious food, and for decent comfortable stay as ‘paying guest’. The better this arrangement, the more is the popularity and fame of the hotel or restaurant in the country and outside. It is possible only when the construction of hotels and restaurants is done according to the principles of Vastu Shastra. Surely then these will be beneficial and profitable to the customers (Travelers) and the concerned people.

The following important facts must be kept in mind while establishing and running a hotel/restaurant business so as to make it progressive and profitable.

(1) The building should be constructed on a plot having rectangular, square, circular, Bhadrasanakar, quadrangular, hexagonal, octagonal, singhmukhakar shape. This gives all round profits.

(2) If there are roads on all the four sides or on the north and east, it is auspicious and beneficial.

(3) Slope of the land should be towards the north-east.

(4) Building should be constructed in such a way that the north and east portion remains mostly open.

(5) Furnace, burner (Chulha), electric transformer, gas room and kitchen should be kept in the south-east portion.

(6) Rooms for the stay of travelers (Customers) should be constructed in the south-west.

(7) Dining hall and restaurant in the west in always auspicious.

(8) Swimming pool, underground water tank, wells, bore-well etc. should be constructed in the north-east where only these are auspicious; overhead water tank should always be in the south west.

(9) Large open ground, lawn, and space for organising conferences etc. in open should be maintained.

(10) Arrangements in the rooms for stay of travelers should be made in such a way that the beds are in south or west portion and the person may sleep with feet towards north or west only.

(11) T.V. and Telephone be kept on right and left side of the bed.

(12) Attached toilet should be provided in the north-west or between the south and south-west corner. Bath room in the east or north or west only.

(13) Store for raw materials required for the hotel and cloak-room (for the bag and baggages of the customers) should be there in the north.

(14) Main door should be singhmukhi and it should be built in proper according to Vaastu-rules by dividing the length of the side in nine parts.

(15) Permanent store should be kept in south-west so that this corner is always heavy.
Hotel complex

After the site is selected, taking into consideration,levels, roads and angles etc., one has to plan the open spaces for lawns and car parking. While cellar could be designed for car parking, for kitchen stores and for servant stay etc., the ground floor could be used for reception,and restaurant. As the area required for kitchen has to be sufficiently big, with light and ventilation, it is better that kitchen is planned on ground floor earmarking complete south-east portion for ovens, grinders and vegetable cutting etc.

On first floor they could plan conference halls, and more restaurant area if necessary and the upper floors could be used for rooms. Care has to be taken that the balconies are provided in east or north. The toilets should be avoided in
north-east side of the rooms. Store rooms with huge stocks should be in south or west, or south-west.

Air-conditioning Plant: A.C. equipment is to be kept in south-east of the complex and there from it is to be operated. It should never be installed in north-east under any circumstances.

Electrical Generators and Transformers: These are to be installed in south-east direction.

Wash Basins: It is not advisable to keep wash basins in the centre of halls even for convenience sake. Wash basins are to be arranged in north or east or north-east of halls.

Main Entrances of Restaurants: It is better to have main entrance in east or north or north-east directions. If it is to be kept in west direction, it should be towards north-west but not in south- west under any circumstances. If it is forced to keep main entrance in south, it advisable to keep it in south-east rather than south -west.

Mezzanine Floor: Mezzanine floor in any hall have to be
provided along west or south walls.

Cash Counter and Reception: These may be provided in south-west with elevated platforms but if it is provided in
north-west or other places the floor level should not be higher than south-west.

Water Bodies: Swimming pools, water ponds, fountains, borewells, and sumps etc.; have to be planned in north or east and north east.

Vastu Advice For The Hotels
The hotel should be such so as to cater to the needs of the guests, should get guests in adequate number and should do good hospitality. If not made according to vastu, can result in no arrival of guest and in the end into a failure.

We have to take care of the following points while studying about the vastu of the hotels.
Proper location of the commercial complex regarding roads.
The exteriors of the office like shape, slope, height, water level
The location of the beams
The location of the basement
The direction of the Entrance
The direction & placement of the windows
The direction & placement of the open space to be left
The direction & placement of the space where the construction has to take place
The direction & placement of the rooms
The direction & placement of the office
The direction & placement of the reception
The direction & placement of the parking
The direction and placement of the electrical equipment like generators, inverters
The direction and placement of the stairs
The direction & placement of AC plant
The direction & placement of the swimming pool
The direction & placement of the lift
The direction & placement of the pantry/kitchen
The direction & placement of the toilets
The direction & placement of the water products
The direction and placement of the water boring
The direction and placement of the staff underground water tank
The direction and placement of the overhead water tank
The direction and placement of the septic tank or the waste disposal

It is imperative that two of the well-known Eastern design methods-Feng-Shui (China) and Vastu shastra (India) are understood in a proper perspective, as both these disciplines in their own ways define the relationship between man and the cosmos.

In Chinese language Feng means wind & Shui means water, implying thereby that the technique involves balancing of the cosmic element water & the cosmic quality “wind” in a system to achieve harmony with the cosmic forces.

Vastu shastra has clear-cut definitions- Vastu means abode or a house & shastra means science or technology, i.e. it is the scientific method of house construction. Vastu shastra considers a house to be a living soul, having prana. Fengshui scripts denote water, fire, wood, gold and earth as the basic five elements forming the entire universe with ‘wind’ as the special quality attainable by these elements. Vastu shastra scriptures stress that every living and non-living entity, for that matter the entire world, is created out of the Panch-Maha-Bhutas - earth, water, fire, wind & ether. “Ether” is considered the most important element in this system, as every possible transformation from one element to the other has to be routed through Akashtatva only. Vastu shastra has its own system of Vastu-Chakras, which is used in conjunction with Astrology; Astronomy & Yogashastra for site-selection & a magnetic compass decides the directional aspect. Interestingly, both the systems insist on N.S. orientation for a structure. Feng-Shui considers a land having reddish or yellowish soil as a good geomantic land. Vastu shastra considers a land with white & yellow coloured soil for house construction. Red coloured soil is tolerated in Vastu shastra, but a site with black soil is prescribed for construction purposes, as such lands are prone to water-logging problems- a kind of environmental pollution. Feng-Shui insists that a body of water should flow in front of the main ent rance of the house. There is no preferred direction of water flow as Feng-shui allows positioning of the main entrance in any directions, depending on the birth year of the owner of the house. Vastu shastra on the other hand considers water flow in the direction N.E. to the Vastu as a beneficial factor with lunar-shaped (Chandrakar) N.E. directional flow as a pointer to frame & prosperity.
A major discrepancy in both these disciplines pertains to the direction of ventilator openings. Feng-shui considers N. as evil & prefers S. direction for window openings. In contrast Vastu shastra dictates the position of windows should be in the N.E.or N.E. directions only. Feng-Shui attempts to offer the households protection against yellow dust and sand which the chinese mainland receives from the deserts situated on the N. border of that country. Vastu shastra follows scientific logic in selection of the window directions, in the sense that it considers the beneficial effects of early morning sunlight.

Location & design of rooms in Feng-Shui are based on the traditional Le-Shu grid of nine squares which assigns different directions. In Vastu shastra the location of rooms are designated in the Vastu Purush Mandal, consisting of nine squares as influenced by the journey of the sun in its various phases.