It is said that if you really want to know what a person or a family is like take a look at their bathroom! Your bathroom is a room too, even though a majority of people tend to dismiss it as a necessary adjunct. So since the ubiquitous ‘loo’ in no small measure reflects on the kind of person you are, you must ensure that it is the best done up and well maintained portion of your home – squeaky clean , bright, well-ventilated and smelling fresh. Remember cleanliness is next to godliness and if you wish the goddess of wealth, Laksmi, to bless your home, keeping every portion of your home spic and span is a must! Lack of space has led to the bathroom and the toilet being combined into a single entity rather than two ideally seperate units.

But not to worry, Vaastu recommends certain tips which can ensure that, that one unit can be an ideal one. For starters the bathroom should at least be 5×5 feet in dimensions. It should not be built below the staircase.The reason being that the staircase is representative of the planet mercury and water which represents the moon, are adversaries. It should also not be anywhere near the main entrance as the main door is Rahu and water the moon, which may symbolically lead to the eclipse of the moon. Neither should the bathroom be anywhere near the kitchen, as it affects the sanctity of the latter. The ideal location for the bathroom is between the south and the west or Nairritya, direction of the house. It can also be located on the east side of the house and the flow of water should be in the north-eastern side. As water boilers and geysers are used these days, an ideal way of saving on extra consumption of power is to locate the bathroom between the south and south- west (Nairritya) direction because the solar heat is sustained at this point for the maximum period.

It’s essential for the sun’s rays to enter the room to dry up the dampness which may lead to a host of problems llike rusting of the fittings and termites. Ensure that the doors are a little above the floor and atleast a foot -and-a-half below the ceiling of the room. And yes most importantly that they are free of peep holes! The latches too should be quite high to avoid chidren being trapped inside it. When installing the necessary accessories ensure that the pumps and motors are not placed inside the bathroom. Appropriate caution should be taken with regard to electrical fittings, geysers and washing machines. The bathroom floor should be scrupulously scrubbed regularly to keep it from becoming slippery and the drains kept clean and unclogged . This will also prevent cockroaches from infesting the area. The chowki or the seat on which you sit while bathing should act as a bad conducter between the water and the floor. Always install a yellow coloured bulb in the bathroom, this brings about harrmony between Brihaspati (Jupiter) and the moon, as Brihaspati represents spirituality and water represents the moon. The walls should be be painted in light pink or pale yellow, but not in red. A ventilator is a must for the bathrom to keep the air regulated and keep the place dry. Vaastu gives due importance to every portion in the house. A bathroom near a kitchen affects its cleanliness and sanctitty. Similarly, if possible the toilet and the bathroom should be seperate units. Vaastu recommends that the bathroom be located in its proper place as it is a ‘shastra’ based on a scientific vision which is in cosonance with nature and its universal law.

By : Dr. Jaiprakash Laldhagewale