10 Elements That Will Bring a Sparkle to Your Puja Room
From a small corner in a wardrobe to a dedicated prayer room, find out how to create an interesting space for prayer
A mandir or a puja room, a space designated for prayer, is an integral part of many Indian homes. According to vastu, the north-eastern corner of the home is recommended as the area of worship, but you can place your puja room anywhere. Not only that, you can go beyond the usual decor, too.
Today, you don’t have to be restricted to bringing only a traditional look to your puja room. Here are some inspirational spaces that use modern design elements, as well as give a twist to some of the old traditional favourites.
Today, you don’t have to be restricted to bringing only a traditional look to your puja room. Here are some inspirational spaces that use modern design elements, as well as give a twist to some of the old traditional favourites.
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The golden idol and the matched pair of diyas (lamps) at its sides look sublime, while slight touches of gold on the upholstery, cushions and the lampshade (don’t miss the slippers) add richness to the space. Similar motifs on the mandir backdrop, side panels and flooring pull the room together. The leaf pattern on the sheer curtain brings depth.
The golden idol and the matched pair of diyas (lamps) at its sides look sublime, while slight touches of gold on the upholstery, cushions and the lampshade (don’t miss the slippers) add richness to the space. Similar motifs on the mandir backdrop, side panels and flooring pull the room together. The leaf pattern on the sheer curtain brings depth.
3.
White marble has quite often been used for temple interiors. In this image, carved panels of marble have been installed on the walls and around the doorway. This detailing work is not easy on the pocket but the result can be stunning.
Tip: Marble is very porous, so at the time of carving and installation, apply several coats of sealant to make it stain-resistant. Routine cleaning should include a regular dry wipe of the marble. For deeper cleaning use a light solution of soap and water or a marble cleaner.
See other ways to bring marble into your home
White marble has quite often been used for temple interiors. In this image, carved panels of marble have been installed on the walls and around the doorway. This detailing work is not easy on the pocket but the result can be stunning.
Tip: Marble is very porous, so at the time of carving and installation, apply several coats of sealant to make it stain-resistant. Routine cleaning should include a regular dry wipe of the marble. For deeper cleaning use a light solution of soap and water or a marble cleaner.
See other ways to bring marble into your home
Take a look at the marble moulding that elegantly springs out from the wall and also acts as a row of little shelves. The mystic effect created by light gently filtering through the glass idols is mesmerising.
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How about taking some inspiration from our Indian temple architecture? This puja room effortlessly brings in the old-world charm of our ancient temples, with its sculpted columns, rustic flooring and large-sized idols. Also note how the ceiling is decorated with a swirly design. The pendant light casts shadows and patterns to add further depth to the space.
How about taking some inspiration from our Indian temple architecture? This puja room effortlessly brings in the old-world charm of our ancient temples, with its sculpted columns, rustic flooring and large-sized idols. Also note how the ceiling is decorated with a swirly design. The pendant light casts shadows and patterns to add further depth to the space.
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Here, a puja room has been scooped out from a corner of the living area. Separated from the other spaces by a contemporary latticed enclosure (jaali), this is a great solution to enclose and bring more privacy to this space. Do note the use of steel at the entrance and in the ceiling-mounted light – it blends with the look of the space and adds to the contemporary look.
Tip: You can customise any jaali pattern or even etch an image of a deity on a Corian sheet. When backlit, it will create a dramatic image of the deity.
Here, a puja room has been scooped out from a corner of the living area. Separated from the other spaces by a contemporary latticed enclosure (jaali), this is a great solution to enclose and bring more privacy to this space. Do note the use of steel at the entrance and in the ceiling-mounted light – it blends with the look of the space and adds to the contemporary look.
Tip: You can customise any jaali pattern or even etch an image of a deity on a Corian sheet. When backlit, it will create a dramatic image of the deity.
In this image, a traditional jaali frames the entrance and the same pattern is embossed on the backdrop of the shrine. The soft lighting adds soothing tones to the space while the fresh flowers floating in a bowl of water and the pair of khadau chappals (wooden slippers traditionally worn by deities, sages and saints) extend the shrine towards the viewer.
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In this home, the puja room is a space more suited for reflection and meditation than for carrying out ceremonies. Here, the figures of deities reside in especially created niches in the wall, while a spotlight in each niche makes sure these sculptures remain the centre of attention.
In this home, the puja room is a space more suited for reflection and meditation than for carrying out ceremonies. Here, the figures of deities reside in especially created niches in the wall, while a spotlight in each niche makes sure these sculptures remain the centre of attention.
7.Don’t feel bad if you are short of space. You can integrate a puja room within a niche or dedicate one section of the wardrobe to create a mandir in the bedroom. Here is a classic example of a narrow puja room that is barely 3 feet wide. Doesn’t the space, done up in wood veneer and stone, look stunning?
Consider free-standing glass shelves for placing the idols or integrate them within a display/utility cabinet when you are short of space. See in this image, just how a top-hung cabinet extends outwards to hold the mandir accessories, while the drawers are used for storage.
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Who says that a puja room has to be within an enclosed space? If you want it to be more accessible and informal, don’t hold back in making your mandir a focal point of the living area. How? Choose a suitably sized figure that fits the scale of the space, adorn it with diyas and accessories, and place it on a platform near the entrance or in the family area. You could further demarcate this space with a nice rug or carpet.
Who says that a puja room has to be within an enclosed space? If you want it to be more accessible and informal, don’t hold back in making your mandir a focal point of the living area. How? Choose a suitably sized figure that fits the scale of the space, adorn it with diyas and accessories, and place it on a platform near the entrance or in the family area. You could further demarcate this space with a nice rug or carpet.
9.
Why not take the extra step and put in the kind of details that are so characteristic of our traditional temples? This is a classic example of a temple doorway in a city home with a hand-painted skirting at the bottom in deep yellow. The two charming jharokhas (traditional balcony windows) on its sides add to the ethnic look.
Tip: Consider hanging some metal diyas and bells from the ceiling or just place an ethnic sandook (box) in the mandir for storage of all the puja items.
Find out how to bring traditional elements into your home
Why not take the extra step and put in the kind of details that are so characteristic of our traditional temples? This is a classic example of a temple doorway in a city home with a hand-painted skirting at the bottom in deep yellow. The two charming jharokhas (traditional balcony windows) on its sides add to the ethnic look.
Tip: Consider hanging some metal diyas and bells from the ceiling or just place an ethnic sandook (box) in the mandir for storage of all the puja items.
Find out how to bring traditional elements into your home
The multitudes of bells hanging in temples are replicated here in their tinier versions. Instead of taking up the entire ceiling space, as they do in a sprawling temple, here they accessorise the mandir door.
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In this space, classical Sanskrit verses or shlokas etched on a back-lit board set the mood. This kind of space can also act as a shrine. Note the soothing ambience created with the help of light colours and minimal accessories.
Though traditional puja rooms have figures of deities, one could also consider having only pictures or calligraphy mounted on the walls in innovative ways like this for a more contemporary feel.
Tip: An inside-outside space, such as the balcony or a gazebo on the rooftop or lawn, could also be an ideal spot for prayer. Give the space an aura of piety with some symbolic artwork or sculptures, puja asanas (prayer mats), diyas and a tulsi (sacred basil) plant.
Read more:
How to Add a Jhoola (Swing) in Your Home
10 Ways to Add Jaalis to a Contemporary Home
Tell us:
Do you have any other ideas how mandirs can be integrated within a home? Share in the Comments section below.
In this space, classical Sanskrit verses or shlokas etched on a back-lit board set the mood. This kind of space can also act as a shrine. Note the soothing ambience created with the help of light colours and minimal accessories.
Though traditional puja rooms have figures of deities, one could also consider having only pictures or calligraphy mounted on the walls in innovative ways like this for a more contemporary feel.
Tip: An inside-outside space, such as the balcony or a gazebo on the rooftop or lawn, could also be an ideal spot for prayer. Give the space an aura of piety with some symbolic artwork or sculptures, puja asanas (prayer mats), diyas and a tulsi (sacred basil) plant.
Read more:
How to Add a Jhoola (Swing) in Your Home
10 Ways to Add Jaalis to a Contemporary Home
Tell us:
Do you have any other ideas how mandirs can be integrated within a home? Share in the Comments section below.
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The backlit onyx adds warmth and light to this mandir. Clever use of a mirror on the ceiling gives a sense of volume while the tall glass-panelled doors open up the space further. The detailed silver idols and accessories add to the sheen, as do the golden panels on the sides.
Tip: To ensure a neat look and easy maintenance, try not to crowd the mandir with too many idols or picture frames.