Devotees ardently await the arrival of Ganesha at their homes every Ganesh Chaturthi and make a special place for the lord in their homes and hearts. Traditionally, the idol of Lord Ganesha is brought into homes on the first day of the festival with much pomp and show, kept for 10 days at home and immersed in a water body after that. In all the excitement of bringing the God of happiness, prosperity, protection and wisdom to their homes, devotees often forget that it is important to place the idol at the right place in keeping with the Vastu rules.
According to Vastu principles, every direction is governed by different Gods and is significant for a different aspect. Similarly, there is an ideal direction in which the idol of Lord Ganesha should also be placed to ensure the household is blessed with wealth and joy and to minimize hurdles in life, as per these rules.
You can easily create a dazzling effect by choosing the right Ganesha idol and placing it against an attractive backdrop. Orientbell Tiles can create the right backdrop for you. You can look at creating a contrast to brighten up your space and fill it with the spirit of joy and celebration.
It is not just important to be careful about the direction in which the idol of the elephant God is placed but also its posture, alignment and other small details that you should take care of. Read to know what are the aspects you should be careful about.
Choose the Right Colour
If you go out to get a Ganesh idol for your home, you will realise that it is available in several colours, from white, fawn, yellow and vermillion to stark ones like blue and green. While different colours may appeal to your aesthetic sensibilities, choosing the colour is also about how you see your life and what you expect from it.
According to Vastu principles, you should bring a white-coloured idol if you are seeking peace and prosperity in your life as the white colour signifies that. You could also stick the photos of Ganesha as that will also be beneficial for you if you want to stick to a white Ganesha. A vermillion-coloured Ganesha idol can help promote growth and is considered very auspicious.
Choose a tiled wall that makes for a perfect backdrop for your coloured idol. You can place a vermillion idol against a muted coloured wall or a white Ganesha against a patterned or bright coloured wall. Orientbell Tiles’ products are available in a variety of hues and patterns and will be a perfect fit to beautify the auspicious area.
Ensure the Idol has the Right Posture
Usually, Ganesha in a sitting posture is the most common and preferred one. The calm demeanour that is reflected by a sitting position is said to exude peace at home. But there are other postures in which idols are made such as a reclining pose. This signifies a sense of luxury and comfort, according to Vastu experts. You should choose the posture in accordance with what you desire to achieve most in your life.
These are the two most common postures, even though there are 32 forms of Ganesha. Some of these include Bala Ganesha, Taruna Ganesha, Bhakti Ganesha, Shakti Ganesha, Veera Ganesha, Siddhi Ganesha, Dwija Ganesha, Vigna Ganesha, Lakshmi Ganesha and Maha Ganesha.
A Bala Ganesha placed in front of a wall covered with pattern tiles can create a lively effect. You should also be careful about the flooring tiles if you are placing the idol on the floor. Choose a space covered with Orientbell Tiles’ germ-free and skid-free products to ensure the area is hygienic and there are no accidents when devotees come near the idol to pay their obeisance.
Pay Attention to the Alignment of the Trunk
It’s not just the colour and posture that you should be careful about. You should also pay close attention to the alignment of the trunk. When placing the idol, you should also take care of the direction of the trunk of the idol. It is ideal if the trunk is tilted towards the left, especially if it’s a sitting Ganesha. If the trunk tilts towards the left, it will symbolise happiness and success. Moreover, it is said that when the trunk is tilted towards the right direction, it is harder to please God. You may have to follow detailed ritualistic practices to be able to appease Lord Ganesha in this case, which may not be the case if the trunk is aligned to its left. This seemingly small aspect can be of extreme significance for devout devotees.
In fact, traditionally, each body part of Lord Ganesha has a lesson for the devotees on how to lead a perfect life. It is believed that the large head of the God symbolises that your head should be filled with positivity and you should think big. The large ears and small mouth are about listening to others more than you speak. The small eyes signify the power of concentration and focusing on the important aspects of life and work. The trunk is considered a useful part and that is why it stands for efficiency and flexibility in spirit. The large stomach signifies the ability to digest all that life throws at us, whether it is good or bad. The raised hand is, of course, about receiving the Lord’s blessings.
Place the Elephant God in the Vastu-Compliant Direction
Like we discussed earlier, every direction is governed by a different God and that is true for Lord Ganesh too. The west, north and northeast directions are said to be appropriate for placing the Ganesha idol, according to Vastu Shastra. You must try to place the idol in such a way that its face is towards the north direction. This direction is considered very auspicious as it is this direction in which lord Shiva is believed to be residing.
Also Read: Vastu Tips for a West-Facing House and Its Rooms
Also, while you would want everyone entering the house to greet the God first, the idol should not be facing the entrance or exit. In fact, it should be placed in a way that it’s back is towards the main door of the house. The same should be followed if you are just using a photo or painting and not the idol itself.
Never place the idol in the south direction as it is not considered suitable according to Vastu rules.
Don’t Ignore the Details
Little details can make a huge difference so ensure that the traditional accessories, including the vehicle of the Ganesha, which is the mouse, is not missing from the idol. You should also ensure that the modak, Ganesha’s favourite sweet, is also a part of the idol. Usually, Ganesha is shown holding the modak, which stands for the rewards of leading a virtuous life and doing penance for any sins committed during a lifetime.
Ganesha idols come in all hues and are attractively decorated each year. Sometimes different themes are followed to celebrate the arrival of God and the ideals it stands for. But this should not tempt you to bring more than one idol in your house. It is believed that having more than one idol can upset Goddesses Ridhi and Sidhi, who are closely associated with Ganesha, and counteract their energy.
A few areas at home should be avoided completely when placing the Ganesha idol. These include the bathroom, bedroom, garage, laundry room and corners under the staircase as these will not allow the release of the right energies, according to Vastu Shastra.
Also Read: 6 Vastu Shastra Tips for the Right Mirror Placement at Home
Last but not the least, choosing the right backdrop decked with beautiful tiles will add a sense of festivity and decoration that you would want Lord Ganesha to be enveloped in. So plan ahead and create the right backdrop and corner for Ganesh Chaturthi by visiting the Orientbell Tiles website.