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SPACES | POOJA ROOM
SPACES | POOJA ROOM
Some prefer the pooja room to be positioned as the metaphorical guardian of the house , while others prefer to locate it in the more private areas of the house . The prayer space should never be inside your bedroom . It should not be either made above , below or next to toilet or kitchen . It should be on ground floor , not on first floor or in basement . Avoid pooja room under the stairs . Special prayers or holy rituals can be performed in ‘ Brahmasthana ’ ( centre of the house ).
STRUCTURING Ensure adequate windows in the pooja room to allow bright sunshine to filter in . It ’ s necessary to provide for a door , or at least a screen , in order to block off the space when needed . Doors and windows of the pooja room should either be in north or east . Doors of this special room should have two shutters and they should not have any door closer .
While keeping in mind the direction in which the idols may have to face , try to position them in a way that they are not directly visible from outside . A slight bend or turn upon entering the pooja room ensures a little time lag between the pressures of daily life and the space to seek solace . While it may seem trivial , it helps in calming the mind before praying or meditating .
DESIGN PRINCIPLE The fundamental principle that would drive the design of a pooja room would be your outlook to religion and spirituality . There are some who follow the traditional system of ghar-devtasthat are handed down from generation to generation ; while others prefer a simple icon or idol that would represent the entire contingent of devis and devtas . There are yet others who follow spiritual gurus , and thus require a space that is customised to their form of worship .
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CHROMOHOMES • OCTOBER 2017
OCTOBER 2017 • CHROMOHOMES
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