Diwali, the festival of lights, is not just about illuminating our homes with beautiful flickering diyas, but also about self illumination – illuminating the soul by doing away with darkness of ignorance and negative energy. A great way to rejuvenate during this festive season is to organise and declutter your home, following the principles of Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian architectural science. Here, we bring you 8 effective Vastu tips to spruce up your home this Diwali.
Firstly, focus on clean entrance. In Vastu, the doorway is considered to be the entry point for positive energy. Therefore, it is essential to keep your entrance area clean and well lit. Remove all unnecessary things like old footwears, broken pots, or dustbins from this area. You might also consider hanging a traditional toran (a decorative door hanging) and placing a diya (a traditional oil lamp) or rangoli (an artistic design made with colored powder) near the entrance to invite divine blessings. Ensure that the entrance door is not blocked or squeaky or has cracks around it. Avoid placing mirrors opposite the entrance.
Secondly, pay attention to the North East Corner. As per Vastu, North-east is regarded as a sacred and auspicious direction that leads to accumulation and growth. To ensure unimpeded positive energy flow in your home, avoid placing heavy furniture, large objects, or electronics in this direction. Instead, keep it tidy with minimal decoration, preferably with a puja altar or a water fountain and soothing colours.
Thirdly, organise your kitchen properly. The kitchen symbolises health and wellness of the family. Hence, keep it free from unwanted items, expired foodstuffs, or broken utensils. Clean your stove regularly, ensure proper ventilation and adequate natural light in the kitchen. Keeping fresh fruits and grains in the kitchen is said to signify wealth and abundance.
Fourthly, declutter your bedrooms. A clean and organised bedroom promotes sound sleep, crucial for mental and physical health. Clear the area under the bed from any clutter as it blocks the flow of positive energy. Use soothing decor and mild bed sheets for a calmer and sounder sleep. Avoid placing mirrors in front of the bed as they may cause restlessness.
Fifthly, make the living room comfortable and harmonious. The living room is a social space where family gathers and guests are entertained. So, it should always be clutter-free. Large, heavy furniture should not be placed by the door or along passageways as it blocks energy flow. Instead, arrange furniture to facilitate conversations and camaraderie. Light up the area with beautiful Diwali diyas and freshen it up with flowers or green plants.
Sixthly, declutter the storage areas. Storage places like cupboards, closets, and lofts often become dumping spaces for unused things. Vastu suggests frequent cleaning and organising of these areas as stagnant energy can negatively affect your home’s overall energy. Discard or donate things that you no longer need. Avoid storing unused things in the north or north-east direction as it might hinder prosperity.
Seventhly, maintain clean and dry bathrooms. Bathrooms that are not properly maintained can accumulate negative energy. Ensure there is no water leakage as water represents wealth and leakages symbolise its waste. The bathroom should be kept fresh with essential oils, plants or aromatic candles.
Lastly, balance your home with light and fresh air. Diwali, being the festival of lights, holds a special significance of lighting in Vastu. It is a practice to light up every corner of your home during Diwali, including the entrance, living area, and worship area with diyas or lamps. Along with light, let fresh air enter your home by ensuring proper ventilation.
To sum up, these Vastu tips for Diwali are not only about physical cleaning but also about creating an environment of positivity and tranquility in your home. Implement them this Diwali to welcome prosperity, wealth and a peaceful year ahead. Happy Diwali!