] Vastu Q - Temples

October 10, 2006

Dear Bipin,

Deities in Temple should generally face East. Having said that, does god really need a direction to face?

The temple construction is built in such a way that the devotees get benefitted. Angular orientation ie temples/houses/sites which are NOT oriented to true cardinal directions are definitely not recommended. As said in my previous mail, angular orientation results in almost 50% reduction in Vastu strength.

Remedy would be based on different factors. The materials used for construction, the mandalas that have been built, prakara's around the temple and the sacred formuas. Most of these details are given in father's Handbook of Vastu.

See below for my comments regarding the questions you asked.

Om Tat Sat,

Raman Suprajarama

-

Bipin Prag (Gmail)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006 1:10 AM

[Jaya Jagannatha] Vastu Q - Temples

Jaya Jaganantha

Dear Swee & Raman

Namaste

It has always bugged me that two of the 5 local Temples in Cape Town could be having their deities facing the wrong direction.

This query by no means is a judgment on anyone for any oversights re Temple construction. My concern is genuine with a view to recommending some remedies to them to help them.

My basic understanding of Temple construction and position of deities is that, deities are preferably to be installed facing East generally, suffice to say, ive read that each deity has its specific direction. In a home environment, the Temple is preferable in the Brahmastan or in NE corner of the house and unless there are installed deities, they should be positioned with their backs on the West wall facing east. If there are no deities, then the person may face East when praying as the second best position.

Radha Krishna Temple

As per the above diagram, the Temple is the building on the right with the Gujerati School on the left. The man deities are Radha & Krishna, flanked by Mother Durga on the right and Lord Ganesha on the left. The entrance is North facing (slightly tilted to NE by 15deg) with the deities on the East wall facing West. In the recent history of this temple the Ram, Sita & Laxman deities situated in the SE corner facing North caught fire from a lamp and were completely destroyed - only the Hanuman deities was intact.

[My Comments] The reasons for the dieties getting destroyed can be assessed only by taking a look at the temple in person. However, It would be interesting to understanding how the School is faring? The students ability to comprehend etc.

One reason can be its placement in SE ruled by agni (fire god). Also SE is good for bramhacharyas (those observing celibacy). Hanuman is hence safe.

What remedies would you recommend for this Temple.

Vishnu Temple

As per the above diagram, the temple is surrounded by a 4 storey Medical Centre in the West, A Shopping Centre in the North, A community Hall in the South and a Mosque in the East. I have nothing against the Mosque but it does have a very tall steeple that towers the Temple from the East - not sure if this has an impact on the Temple.

[My Comments] Mosque is also a divine place and is ok. Care should be taken to see that the other buildings like shopping center, community hall etc should not be taller than the temple's garba gudi.

The Main Entrance of the Temple is North (tilted 25deg to NE), with the deities also on the East wall facing West. The Main deities are their Lordships Vishnu & Parvati flanked by Lord Ganesha on left and Mother Durga on the right all on one altar. There are Radha Krishna deities in front of the main deities too.

This organization is experiencing a lot of apathy amongst its congregation and Mandir activities are almost a bare minimum once a week.

[My Comments] Looks like the other buildings are taller. What about legal problems? From the picture, the temple building is irregular shape? Is it so?

Incidentally, the other three temples have all their deities facing East with backs on the West wall. They have more harmonius religious gatherings. Ive read that Sri Venkateshvar in Tirupati face East. I was trying to find the position for Lord Jagananth Temple but still searching for info

I would appreciate some remedies for the above two situations so that I can learn from this. To Swee - we have discussed this briefly, but now I have case studies so it makes things more relative to work with.

[My Comments] Let us stick to understanding the concepts rather than discussing the remedies. Vastu is a very delicate and sacred science and should be adapted after understanding all the aspects of the building. We should never venture into suggesting remedial measures, especially with regard to temples, unless we see it in person and understand all the aspects.

Temples are divine places where a large number of humans come to get benefitted in one way or the other. Any wrong suggestions will impact all these person attending. We would be risking the lives of many.

Regards

Bipin

October 11, 2006

Swami Saranam

Please Come to kerala u will get all answers about the temple Construction and directions.

Raman Suprajarama <cru115 (AT) niranjanbabu (DOT) com> wrote: