Principles of Vastu

Following points have to be kept in mind while planning the construction to be done on the land, be it a residential structure, or industrial structure, or a temple etc., in each case it is auspicious and beneficial to keep the following points in mind while purchasing a plot of land or constructing a building.

It is always prudent to check the direction and shape of the plot. A construction on quadrangular, rectangular or square plot is beneficial and good from all aspects.
Big plot fetches prosperity, but it should not have any cracks or cleavage.
Triangular shaped plot are considered inauspicious for construction of a building.
A small narrow plot between two big plots is not considered good, because owner of the building on such plot always remains in troubles.
It is always better to have a plot whose length in the east-west direction is more than that in north-south direction.
Plot having more open vacant space in south than in north, will lead to destruction and downfall whether it is in the house or a industry.
All the heavy and permanent items should be placed in the southwest corner of the building or plot.
While sleeping head should be kept in the east or south. Never sleep with feet towards south or east.
Water tanks on the roof in the south-west direction are auspicious. These should never be placed in north or north-east (eshanya) corner.
Pooja room is always best in the northeast corner or near it.
Kitchen is always auspicious and best in the south-east (Agney) corner, or adjacent to it.
Open space should be kept all around the building.
Building should be constructed in such a way so that it is higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast. Walls should also be constructed in this manner.
Underground water tanks (for storage of water) well, hand-pump, boring etc. should be built in northeast direction only. Height of these water tanks should never be above the plinth level of the main building.
As far as possible there should be only one main door of the house, which should be adorned with auspicious symbols.
All the doors and windows should be of the same height upper edges being in the same straight line.
There should not be a door above a door. This principle does not apply on multistory buildings. Height of the door on upper floor should be kept less than that on the lower floor.
More the lighter (weightless) items are in the north, northeast and northwest directions, the happier will be the life of the family in the house.
It is better if there are no tall trees in the east. Trees in the west are good.
It is always better to select the plots having road on the east-north directions.
The essence of Vaastu Shastra is actually to make the house in total conformity with the utilisation of five basic materials, viz, earth, water, air, fire, space for specific functions in the directions of places determined for the same. For example, southeast corner is best for fire (kitchen etc.) Northwest direction for air and the Northeast direction for attaining the bliss for divine favour.
Specially, while constructing a house due care is to be taken regarding position of doors, windows, Fire place, well, bath room, bed room, toilets, these should be constructed strictly in the places allotted as per Vaastu principles.
If there is a well or any other pit in the southeast, southwest or northwest direction, there will always be quarrels in the family and there will be no peace.
Slope of a plot should always towards east and the West portion of the land should be raised.
A temple can have doors on all the four sides.
Vaastu Poojan is absolutely necessary for a new built house in order to avoid difficulties that may arise for the members of the household.
For interior decoration of the house, pictures and scenes of war and battles, idols/statues of demons, pictures of pig (boar), leopard, tiger, jackal, serpent, eagle, owl, pigeon, hawk, crow, crane etc. are not auspicious. These should not be put on the walls in the house for decoration.
Flow of water and its outlet in the directions other than east, northwest, northeast and north is inauspicious and causes troubles.
Toilet(s) is (are) auspicious if constructed in northwest corner. If necessary or in case of lack of space it may be constructed in any direction, but the seat in the toilet should be such that when using the toilet one should face towards south or north only.
Only new wood should be used throughout in the construction of a house, there remains no default relating to Vaastu. At the most two or three types of wood may be used.
It is not auspicious to construct any thing towards the south or west of the Vaastu zone. Construction should be done towards north and east of this zone.
If extension is to be made, it should be extended in all the sides. Extension only in one side is not auspicious.
Door of the staircase should face either east or south. It will be auspicious if the stairs are constructed in the west or south on the right side.
T.V., Radio or any other such device for entertainment should be placed near the southwest corner.
If more than one door are required, doors should be constructed in the positions as suggested in the Vaastu-Shastra, but no two doors be opposite each other.
Guest room or drawing room should be in the north or west direction.
Room for the watchman or guard should be built near the gate in the boundary wall on the left side. His quarter should be on the left side of the gate.