How to Arrange God Photos and Idols in a Pooja Room: Vastu Guidelines & Traditions

In every Indian home, the pooja room (mandir) holds a special place. It’s where we pray, meditate, and seek blessings for health, wealth, and peace. But here’s the thing—if the mandir is not arranged correctly, many people believe it can disturb the flow of positive energy.

Have you ever felt that, despite praying daily, things aren’t going well? Or maybe you’ve placed your mandir in a random corner because of space issues? You’re not alone—many first-time homeowners or renters face this confusion.

This guide will walk you step by step on how to properly arrange god photos, idols, and pooja items, keeping both Vastu principles and practical living in mind.

---

Step 1: Choosing the Right Place for Your Pooja Room

Before even arranging photos or idols, the first question is: Where should the mandir be placed?

• Best direction (as per Vastu): North-East (Ishan Kona) corner of the house.
• Other good options: East or West wall.
• Avoid: South direction, under the staircase, next to bathrooms, or directly in bedrooms (unless no other choice).

👉 Problem people face: Many small apartments don’t have extra rooms.

Solution: Use a wall-mounted mandir, a corner shelf, or even a closed cabinet-style mandir. Cover it with curtains when not in use.

---

Step 2: Arranging God Photos Correctly

Now comes the main question—how should you keep photos?

• Place photos so that deities face East or West. Devotees should face East while praying.
• Keep photos at eye level, not on the ground or too high.
• Avoid mixing too many deities—choose 4–6 main ones instead of clutter.
• Right grouping example:
  • Vishnu with Lakshmi
  • Radha with Krishna
  • Shiva alone (not with other gods)

👉 Problem people face: Some keep gods facing each other or directly facing doors.

Solution: Always keep gods facing one direction and devotees facing opposite for harmony.

---

Step 3: Placement of Idols (Murtis)

• Size matters: Keep idols below 9–12 inches at home. Larger idols are better for temples.
• Direction: Idols should face East/West.
• One Ganesha idol only: It’s believed that keeping multiple Ganeshas can create confusion in energy.
• Respect broken idols: If an idol cracks, immerse it in water respectfully instead of keeping it.

👉 Problem people face: Many unknowingly keep multiple broken or old idols together.

Solution: Keep only intact idols/photos. For damaged ones, do visarjan (immersion) in a river or pond.

---

Step 4: What Photos and Idols to Keep

Must-Have Deities:

• Lord Ganesha – Always placed first, as he is the remover of obstacles and the beginner of all prayers.
• Goddess Lakshmi – Brings wealth and prosperity to the home.
• Lord Vishnu or Krishna – Symbol of protection, harmony, and love.
• Lord Shiva – Represents spiritual strength, balance, and inner peace.
• Goddess Saraswati – Bringer of wisdom, learning, and creativity.

Kul Devta (Family Deity):

• The family deity that your ancestors have worshipped for generations should be included.

Ishta Devta (Personal Deity):

• Your chosen personal god (like Krishna, Ram, Hanuman, or Durga) to whom you feel the deepest devotion.

Other Sacred Items You Can Keep in a Mandir:

• Diya (Lamp/Deepak): Symbol of light, positivity, and removal of ignorance.
• Kalash: A water-filled copper or brass pot with mango leaves and coconut on top; it represents abundance and purity.
• Bell (Ghanti): Used to invite divine energy and drive away negativity.
• Incense Stand/Dhoop Holder: For fragrance and purification of the atmosphere.
• Holy Books: Like the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Hanuman Chalisa, or Vedas.
• Shankh (Conch): Considered sacred and used in rituals to invite prosperity.
• Rudraksha, Tulsi Mala, or Jap Mala: For meditation and chanting.
• Small Plate (Thali): For offering prasad, flowers, or water.
• Water Container (Copper Lota): Used for abhishek (ritual bathing of idols) or offering water.
• Fresh Flowers & Leaves: Lotus, marigold, tulsi, or bel leaves, depending on the deity.

Avoid Keeping in Mandir:

• Too many duplicates of the same deity (especially more than one Ganesha idol).
• Fierce forms of gods (e.g., angry Kali, Ugra Narasimha) as they are meant for temples, not homes.
• War or battle scenes from the Ramayana or the Mahabharata.
• Ancestors’ photos — these should be kept in a separate area dedicated to shraddh rituals.
• Broken, chipped, or faded idols/photos.

---

Step 5: What to Keep in Your Mandir

• Diya/lamps (oil or ghee preferred).
• Incense stand and bell.
• Kalash with water and shankh.
• Holy water (Ganga jal).
• Holy books (Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Vedas).
• Fresh flowers and a prasad plate.

👉 Tip for beginners: Start small. Even a diya, one incense stick, and one god photo are enough to begin daily pooja.

---

Step 6: How to Keep Photos, Idols, and Pooja Items in the Mandir

Setting up your mandir is not just about what to keep, but also how to arrange them properly for devotion and positive energy.

1. Placement Order of Deities:

• First in Line: Lord Ganesha – Always place Ganesha first, as he is the remover of obstacles.
• Center Position: Your Ishta Devta or main deity should be in the center.
• Flanking Deities: Other gods like Vishnu-Lakshmi, Shiva-Parvati, or Krishna-Radha can be placed on either side.

2. Height and Alignment:

• Photos or idols should ideally be placed at eye level while standing or sitting during prayers.
• Avoid placing idols too low (on the floor) or too high (above head height).
• Keep larger idols at the back and smaller idols/photos in front to maintain visibility and focus.

3. Arrangement of Other Pooja Items:

• Diya/Lamp: Keep in front of the idols, preferably slightly to the right side.
• Incense Holder & Bell: Place to the left or front side so it doesn’t block the view of idols.
• Kalash & Shankh: Can be placed on the sides or at the corners of the mandir.
• Holy Books: Keep neatly stacked on a side shelf or below the idols; never directly on the floor.
• Prasad Plate & Flowers: Keep on a separate tray; don’t mix with daily clutter.

4. Orientation and Facing:

• Idols and photos should face East or West.
• When you pray, your direction should ideally be opposite to the deity’s facing (so you face East when idols face West, or vice versa).

---

Step 7: What NOT to Keep in Mandir

• Torn or faded god photos.
• Broken idols.
• Food items other than prasad.
• Cash, jewellery, or non-religious items.
• Mandir below stairs or next to toilets.

👉 Problem people face: Many keep old photos, unused idols, or even storage boxes inside the mandir.

Solution: Keep the mandir clutter-free. The cleaner it is, the more peaceful the energy.

---

Step 8: Lighting & Decoration

• Diya direction: Place the diya facing East.
• Lighting: Natural sunlight in the morning is best. Use LED diyas for safety at night.
• Flowers & Garlands: Fresh flowers daily, remove wilted ones.
• Colors: White, yellow, or light pastels for background. Avoid black or dark shades.

---

Step 9: Storage for Pooja Essentials

• Drawers or shelves below the mandir for incense, cotton wicks, and matchsticks.
• A separate tray for prasad plates and utensils.
• Keep holy books neat and dust-free.

👉 Problem people face: Mixing pooja items with kitchen items.

Solution: Keep a dedicated storage space for pooja articles.

---

Step 10: Daily & Weekly Care

• Clean idols/photos with a dry cloth daily.
• Wash pooja vessels weekly.
• Replace old garlands and cloths.
• Keep incense and diya stands polished.

---

Step 11: If You Feel Life Problems Due to Wrong Mandir Arrangement

Many people shift homes or unknowingly place mandirs in the wrong direction, and later feel obstacles in their career, health, or peace.

---

Vastu Do’s and Don’ts for Mandir Arrangement

When it comes to arranging your pooja room, following a few simple Vastu rules can make a big difference in how peaceful and positive the space feels.

Do’s:

• Keep mandir in the North-East direction – This is the most auspicious corner (Ishan Kona) as it allows divine energies to flow freely.
• Face East while praying – East is considered the direction of sunrise, knowledge, and growth, making it ideal for prayers. If East is not possible, North is the next best choice.
• Keep pooja items clean and organized – From diyas to incense sticks, every item used in prayer should be well-maintained. Clutter or dirty pooja items disturb the energy flow.
• Use natural materials – Wooden or marble mandirs are preferable as they radiate purity compared to plastic or synthetic options.
• Light a diya daily – A lamp brings warmth and positivity; lighting it at sunrise and sunset is recommended.

Don’ts:

• Don’t place a mandir in the bedroom – If it’s unavoidable due to space, place it in the North-East corner and cover it with a curtain when not in use.
• Don’t keep mandir under stairs or near bathrooms – These areas are considered inauspicious because of low energy and impurity.
• Don’t keep idols facing each other – It creates conflicting vibrations. All deities should face one direction.
• Don’t keep broken idols or torn photos – They are believed to attract negative energy and must be respectfully immersed (visarjan).
• Don’t overcrowd the mandir – A clean, minimal arrangement allows better focus and harmony.

---

Conclusion

A pooja room is not about grandeur but about devotion, clarity, and positive energy. When you follow simple Vastu rules, keep your mandir clutter-free, and arrange god photos and idols respectfully, your home automatically feels calmer and more balanced.

The right arrangement is a blend of faith, Vastu, and aesthetics:

• Faith gives the pooja room its spiritual depth.
• Vastu ensures harmony of energy.
• Aesthetics makes the space inviting and peaceful.

Whether you have a small wall-mounted mandir or a dedicated room, what matters most is the intention and devotion you bring into it.

Also Read: How to Arrange God Photos in Your Pooja Room

---

FAQs