Vaastu in the kitchen

Applying the principles of vaastu to any property is not a life-changing process. But it definitely plays a very important role in reorganising and transforming various aspects of life. A positive environment leads to positive thinking. Positive thinking leads to a positive environment. A property with negative energy creates a certain sense of sadness, depression and gloominess. All these lead to negative thoughts.

One of the most important aspects of vaastu for any kind of residential or commercial property is the kitchen or pantry. The kitchen represents the fire element, which determines the intensity of energy, enthusiasm level or simply the amount of fire within a property and its occupants. A wrongly placed kitchen or a plan with vaastu flaws will not only affect the health of the family but also its finances.

Therefore, a lot goes into the selection or construction of a property with respect to the placement of the fire zone. On the one hand, fire has the ability to burn and cause destruction, but this is also the element required to cook food. Therefore, proper positioning and appropriate use of this element can bring marvellous results and its proper usage is highly recommended in any property.

It is said “we are what we eat”. Therefore, a positive environment in the kitchen is very important as good cooking should begin with a positive frame of mind.

Ideally, the kitchen must be located in the south-east end of a property as per vaastu. This is based on the position of the sun and direction of the wind. As per the principles of feng shui, fire and wood are the principal elements of the south and east directions respectively. Therefore, both vaastu and feng shui recommend this direction for the placement of the kitchen or pantry.

Aside from the location, also pay attention to the layout of the kitchen:

- The fire or stove must be placed in the south-east or the north-east side, so the person cooking faces east or north. This promotes good health in the family.

- The cooking range must not be placed very close to the wall. A gap of at least 2-3 inches is mandatory between the wall and the cooking range. This allows positive energy to flow freely.

- It is recommended that the fire element is not directly visible from the main door. Extreme care must be taken to clean the stove or cooking range. This determines the physical, mental and financial health of the family.

- The fire element must not be placed alongside a window, as this can result in bad health.

- All electrical gadgets such as microwaves, ovens, etc. must be placed along the east wall.

- The water element in the kitchen comprises drinking water and the sink. This is well placed in the north, east or north-east, depending on the size of the kitchen. Any kind of water leakage should be fixed immediately. The loss of water leads to financial loss.

- The water and fire elements in the kitchen must not be placed very close to each other. This again depends on the size of the kitchen.

- It is recommended to have windows in the kitchen to allow natural light in. Natural light doesn’t allow stagnation and leads to proper circulation of energies. Ideally, windows in the north or east are preferred. Proper ventilation is highly recommended.

- Heavy storage in the kitchen is recommended along the south and west side of the kitchen. The north and east walls must have light storage.

- For commercial properties, the pantry is best placed along the south-east of the property. A pantry in a commercial property is generally small, but this should not be a deterrent to placing it in the right zone. Elements representing fire and heat must be placed along the east wall.

Following these measures will help boost the positive energies in the space.