Orientation of the Building

It is a known fact that magnetic field runs north-south through the globe. The geographical orientation is primarily based on the movement of the Sun. When the earth rotates, a magnetic field is produced and it extends into space.

The north indicated by the compass is 11 degrees away from the geographical or true north. This is because the earth’s magnetic centre is generally inclined at about 11 degrees from its axis of its rotation. Hence when the compass orientation indicates a tilt of 11 degrees, the direction shown by the needle can be taken to be the true north. This tilt can be northward or southward depending on whether the Sun is moving from Capricorn to Cancer (Uttarayana) or from Cancer to Capricorn (Dakshinayana).

True North is slightly different from the one indicated by the compass. Residential (house or apartment) layout can face all the four cardinal directions - north, east, south and west. Ancient masters have approved it. Orientations to the angular directions are not recommended. Orientation affects living, education, physical and mental health, family relationships, finances and general welfare.

The proper orientation can help in preventing possible chaos, conflict, and failure. While creating a residential (house or apartment) layout, proper orientation of buildings and pathways to the cardinal directions helps in cross-ventilation and creates order and balance that are must for contentment and happiness. Once the properly oriented sites or buildings are identified, the appropriate placement of doorways and windows in certain directions can add up to the general welfare and happiness. Orientation can also be in relation to sitting and sleeping arrangements.

Vastu Shastra clearly emphasizes the importance of orienting the buildings to the four cardinal directions (North, East, South or West). As far as possible, buildings should not be oriented to the intermediate directions. But in rare situations, if the site faces an intermediate direction, the doors should be position very carefully. The Scientific Reasoning- The ancients were aware of the power of monsoon winds and other energies (physical and metaphysical) on structures. Scientifically, it was seen that if the 4 faces of the buildings were oriented towards the cardinal directions, they could withstand the impact of these energies and also benefit from them. In fact most religious buildings, palaces, cities, villages and roads of ancient India and many other parts of the world have been found to face the cardinal directions. Examples: the Giza and Great pyramids of Egypt are all oriented to the North. So if it was not possible to orient a building to the cardinal directions, it was important that the dimensions of the building should be such that it can withstand the forces of nature.

Orientation the Length of the Building

Orientation to the north and east are traditionally acceptable. However, ancient treatises do not prohibit orientation to the south or west. Orientation of a site or building was also based on the surrounding topography and local weather conditions. Astrological compatibility to certain directions is also integrated while selecting a specific site or building.

Let us re-iterate that the ancient masters have approved of orientation to all the four cardinal directions - north, east, south and west. A proper orientation guarantees quality life. Orientations to the angular directions are not recommended. Orientation to the southeast generally points to constant fear, southwest to quarrels and frictions, northwest to indiscrimination and northeast to disturbances to progeny.