West-facing corner houses present unique opportunities and challenges within the framework of Vastu Shastra. According to established guidelines, the West direction is associated with gains, prosperity, and social connections. When a property faces West, the placement of the main entrance door becomes a critical factor in determining the flow of energy. The auspiciousness of a West-facing entrance door depends entirely on its exact location within the Vastu Purush Mandal. While the West direction is governed by Lord Varun, the controller of the universe, and is linked symbolically with Saturn in astrology, representing karmic discipline and grounded success, specific padas (energy fields) within this direction yield vastly different results.
The main entrance is considered the "mouth" of the house, through which energy enters. For a West-facing house, the best entrance placements are specific padas located on the West wall. The third pada, known as Sugreev, is regarded as the best choice. This placement is ideal for traders, businessmen, and educational institutes, bringing amazing growth, prosperity, and benefits for children's education. The fourth pada, Pushpdant, is excellent and represents the power of blessing; it is associated with Lord Varun and is the vehicle of Lord Kuber (the wealth giver), ensuring good financial growth. The fifth pada, Varun, is good but requires caution; it is the controller of the universe and the brother of Agni, granting immortality, but it may also bring over-ambition alongside prosperity.
Conversely, specific placements must be strictly avoided. The entrance in the North-West corner is described as potentially very dangerous for residents. Furthermore, placing the main door in the South-West corner (Pitra) is the worst placement, leading to big losses and instability in life. Therefore, while preparing a West-facing house Vastu plan, the placement of the entrance door requires very careful selection.
Ideal Room Placement and Layout
Once the entrance is correctly positioned, the internal arrangement of rooms must follow specific directional attributes to maintain balance. The West direction is generally associated with gains and social connections, making proper room placement essential for positivity and success.
Master Bedroom: The South-West corner is the best location for the master bedroom in a West-facing house. This placement promotes stability in relationships and brings long-term benefits to homeowners. It is also recommended to keep the South-West heavy, utilizing storage or the master bedroom in this zone to anchor the energy.
Living Room: The living room should preferably be located in the North-East or East part of the house to attract positivity and natural light. Alternatively, Northwest, North, or Northeast are ideal for the living room to ensure social harmony and positive interactions. Bright, light-filled spaces are essential for attracting good vibes.
Kitchen: The best location for the kitchen is the South-East (Agni) zone. Alternatively, the North-West is acceptable. However, one must avoid having the kitchen in the North-East or South-West corners.
Children's Room: Children's bedrooms are best placed in the West, Northwest, or North zones. This specific placement promotes good health, focus, and academic success.
Pooja Room: The location of the Pooja room is crucial for spiritual growth. The Northeast (Ishaan Kon) is the most sacred direction. Deities should face East or West, and the East direction is also considered very auspicious. One must avoid placing the Pooja room in the Southeast and Southwest corners.
Bathrooms and Toilets: These are best placed in the West or Northwest zones, which help in the easy disposal of waste and negative energies. They must be strictly avoided in the Northeast, Southwest, and the central Brahmasthan.
Staircase: For a West-facing duplex home, the staircase should ideally be in the South-West, South, or West zones. It is essential to build the staircase in a clockwise direction. The Northeast and Brahmasthan should be avoided for staircase placement.
Structural Guidelines and Vastu Tips
Structural elements play a significant role in balancing the energy of a West-facing corner house.
Walls: The South and West walls should be thicker and higher than the North and East walls. This structural balance helps in containing positive energy.
Windows: More windows in the North and East are recommended to balance energy flow and allow ample natural light.
Slope: The slope of the house should ideally be from South to North. One must avoid a slope from North to South.
Open Spaces: The Northeast should be kept light, open, and clutter-free. Conversely, gardens or open spaces should be avoided in the Southwest.
Overhead Tanks: Overhead or underground water tanks should not be placed in the Southwest.
Bedrooms: No bedrooms should be constructed over toilets or kitchens.
Vastu Remedies for West Facing Houses
Even if a West-facing home was not originally designed according to Vastu principles, several remedies can be applied to balance energies.
Entrance Remedies: - If the main entrance door falls in the North-West corner, inserting an iron strip in the threshold can help negate its effects. - If the main door falls in the South-West zone, a brass strip inserted in the threshold can block negativity. - Painting the West-facing door white or grey is an effective remedy.
General Remedies: - Mirrors and Lighting: Strategically place mirrors and add indoor plants in the North-East to balance energies. Use Vastu paintings to correct energy imbalances. Lighting is also a key element in fixing Vastu issues. - Metallic Objects: Adding metallic objects near the door can enhance the energies around the main entrance. - Plants: It is best to avoid placing a lot of plants or greenery outside or around the West facing door. - Vastu Pyramids: Positioning Vastu pyramids near the entrance is a recommended adjustment. - Furniture and Colors: Rearranging furniture and using colors wisely helps balance energy and harmony. - Nameplate and Symbols: Placing a nameplate and sacred symbols at the main door is encouraged.
Benefits and Disadvantages
Understanding the inherent nature of a West-facing house helps in making informed decisions.
Benefits: - West is the direction of Lord Varun, the controller of the universe, making it an extremely auspicious direction to bring in wealth and prosperity. - Residents of West-facing houses often become more social and extroverted, resulting in business and financial gains. - West-facing homes are believed to bring prosperity, especially for those in business and entrepreneurship. - These homes are ideal for professionals such as doctors, lawyers, chefs, nurses, detectives, financial advisors, teachers, artists, and gardeners. - Residents can enjoy the warm evening sun for longer periods. - Some believe it brings fewer enemies and popularity at work and in social life.
Disadvantages: - In hot climates, West-facing houses tend to get the maximum amount of heat after noon because of the sun’s path from South to West. - This can make the house uncomfortable during the afternoon and evening. - Improper placement of the entrance or rooms can lead to financial instability and conflicts.
Holistic Energy Harmonization
For homeowners and business owners seeking balance, the West-facing corner house requires a holistic approach. The energy flow is heavily influenced by the placement of the main door and the master bedroom. By adhering to the guidelines of keeping the South-West heavy and the North-East light, residents can harness the positive attributes of the West direction.
The connection between Vastu and professional success is evident in the guidelines. For instance, placing the entrance in the Sugreev pada is specifically recommended for traders and businessmen. Similarly, the West direction's association with social connections makes the living room placement in the North-East or North vital for maintaining harmonious relationships.
For spiritual seekers, the placement of the Pooja room in the Northeast ensures spiritual growth and peace. The avoidance of negative zones such as the South-West for entrances and the Brahmasthan for staircases acts as a protective measure against instability and losses.
Conclusion
A West-facing corner house, when planned according to Vastu Shastra, offers significant benefits regarding prosperity, social standing, and professional growth. The critical factor remains the exact location of the main entrance door, with the Sugreev, Pushpdant, and Varun padas offering varying degrees of success, while the North-West and South-West entrances must be strictly avoided. Structural integrity, such as thicker South and West walls and ample windows in the North and East, supports the energy flow. Remedial measures, including the use of metallic strips, specific paint colors, and strategic placement of mirrors and pyramids, provide solutions for existing architectural limitations. By following these traditional principles, residents can create a harmonious living environment that supports wealth, health, and spiritual well-being.