Marriages, they say, are made in heaven. But not all marriages turn out to be heavenly. Many factors may be responsible for this. The planets play a role, for instance. They color our personalities and shape our destinies. But did you know that sometimes, the shape of the mandap where your marriage took place can have a say, too, in how your marriage turns out? You may find this hard to believe, and we don’t blame you. But if you have an open mind and are curious enough to want to know why this is so, read on.
The Science of Vaastu
Many people have heard of Vaastu Shastra, the ancient science of Indian architecture. The science evolved during the Vedic period in India. It originates in the Sthapatyaveda, a part of the Atharvaveda, which is a system of knowledge that explores the connection between man and what he builds or architecture.
Vaastu Shastra is the art of living, designing, building in harmony with nature and attracting positive energy. While Sthapatya Veda is the theory, Vaastu Shastra is the practical application of the theory in the real world.
Vaastu Shastra hinges on the five natural elements – Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Tej (light), Vayu (wind) and Akash (ether). These are the Panchabhutas. The entire universe (including the earth and the human body) is made of these five elements that can affect the cosmic forces and the forms of energies. As per the Vaastu Purush Mandal, the cosmos throbs with beneficial energies. When the five elements combine with ideal directions, it helps create a balanced and harmonious environment.
Buildings constructed as per Vaastu principles can attract positive energy and repel negativity, thereby creating an environment in which one can experience harmony, success, peace, joy, and good health. Though Vaastu Shastra in today’s age is similar to that practiced in the ancient days, the process and the approach are more attuned to modern needs. But the basic idea of Vaastu-compliant buildings has prevailed. The two key components of contemporary Vaastu are the shapes of structures and directions. Now, it must be clear to you why the shape of the marriage mandap is important.
The Shape of the Mandap
In Vaastu, symmetrical or right-angled shaped plots, like rectangles or squares, are better. These plot shapes can attract prosperity, well-being, and happiness. If the plot is irregular or curved in shape (oval, circular, or semi-circular), it is inauspicious as it can hinder a person’s growth and cause loss of wealth, sorrow, and other problems.
For this reason, the mandap or the plot of the building where the wedding takes place has to be square or rectangular in shape and not round or oval. In Vaastu Vidya, this offers stability and structural integrity.
The Entry Archway
The entry archway should be at the north or northeast, and it should be followed by a green, open lawn. These directions can attract positive vibes. Having a waterfall or a fountain in these directions is also good.
The Sacred Fire
All religious ceremonies should take place at the Ishaan Kon, the northeast direction. This, as per Vaastu, is the abode of the gods. The couple should take their marriage vows in the south, the Agni Kon, and this is where the havan or sacred fire is. Most ceremonies take place in the west, which is the direction of love, and the couple will be facing the east.
Seating
The couple should sit in the west direction, facing the east. Seating arrangements for the guests should be in the east, west, north, or northwest. The dining hall must be in the east-of-northeast, east, west, south, or north-of-northwest.
The Bar
At most weddings these days, there will be a DJ playing music, and sometimes, even a bar. If you have a DJ and a bar, they should be placed in the east-of-north-east. This direction has associations with fun, merriment, and intoxication. Or, you can place the bar in the northwest.
Other Vaastu Guidelines for the Wedding Hall
Restrooms should be towards the west or northwest. This is the path that rivers and streams take when they flow towards the sea.Rooms for storing wedding decor, catering ingredients, and bulk supplies should be placed in the southwest, which is ruled by Rahu, the planet that rules wealth and materialism.
Valet and parking slots must be in the northwest or southeast. In ancient times, these directions had associations with chariots and migration.
Kitchens, galleys, cooking equipment, etc., must be placed in the direction of Agni or fire, which is the southeast, southwest, or south-of-southeast.
Staircases represent a spiral. They have an ambiguous vibe, as per energy healing modalities. To harness them properly, they should be in the west, south, or southwest.
Bidaai or Farewell Ceremony
Bidaai is the farewell ceremony where the bride takes leave of her parents before leaving with her new husband. It is a moment of mixed emotions, which has often been portrayed and milked for sentiment in Indian movies. The bride has to perform the rituals in the southwest. These rituals are performed to signify that even when the ‘Lakshmi’ (in a Hindu home, all women are regarded as Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth) of the house is departing, her parent’s house will continue to prosper.
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