Vastu Shastra’s relevance in Architecture
Over 90% of homebuyers in India seek vastu-compliant homes. Vastu for home is such a big phenomenon that a number of Architecture colleges in India have included it in their syllabus.
But, there’s one question that still stands, “Is it just a cultural Indian superstition or a long-lost science”?
Amongst the Architects, there has been a long hard debate for years. On one side there are famous architects like Charles Mark Correa who has repeatedly used Vastu Shastra in their works. On the other hand, there are architects who believe that vastu destroys their designs.
Before we give our opinion on Vastu Shastra, let’s understand a few things.
Vastu Shastra, which literally translates into “Science of Architecture”, is an ancient Indian system of architecture. It provides laws on the construction of houses along appropriate guidelines for a healthy and peaceful living!
It has its origin in Stapatya Veda, which is a part of Atharva Veda.
During the ancient times, principles were written and compiled as per the sun rays and its varying positions at different times of the day. It is known that the temples and palaces of those times were completely based on it. There are indications that Vastu Shastra had an influence on the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Coming to the scientific end, a house or a home is supposed to save the people living under it from the extremes of nature. The Earth is a magnetic, solar powered planet, which human beings have inhabited for millions of years and continue to do so. The sun is the primary source for all activities on earth, and good planning must balance these activities and sunny periods. Therefore, it is advisable to have minimal used spaces of a house exposed to direct sunlight, and the most used spaces in less exposed zones of the house.
Vastu Shastra- Myth buster
1. Vastu Shastra is a rulebook
Vastu Shastra is a set of guidelines which pepople have been using to build their homes. There is no rules as such that must be followed religiously.
2. Vastu Shastra is beyond rationality
Vastu Shastra has been purely developed on the basis of climate and social sciences, and can be proved through scientific means. Although, there are some superstition and fear-mongering tactics that some pundits and crooked individuals use to exploit people.
3. Vastu Shastra is used to develop building designs
Vastu Shastra goes beyond simply designing buildings. It includes building all types of structures from houses, temples, towns, and cities.
4. Vastu Shastra is an ancient mystical science known to a few
People who claim to be experts of Vastu Shastra try to target the vulnerable set of population and exploit them. Vastu Shastra was developed for the common man, and should be considered as guiding principles.
It has been thousands of years since Vastu Shastra has been established, and till date it is followed by a large sector of the population in a religious manner. This science of direction is even used by the likes of Tata Housing in all of their projects!