The Konark Temple is one of the 300 ancient temples in Orissa that was not affected by the super cyclone that hit the state in 1999

Vastu Shastra contains the principles of engineering and architecture as was practised in ancient India.

The ancient treatise deals with codes of planning and construction of dwelling spaces. It defined Vastu as an enclosed space with openings where “immortals and mortals live”. It has been generalised to cover four specific categories: earth (since this was the initial dwelling space), buildings, vehicles and seats. It provides guidelines on design of townships, residential buildings, temples, sculptures, iconography, paintings, chariots, seats and more.

In ancient times, the practice of Vastu in some form or the other was prevalent in many cultures — Feng Shui was practised in China, Japan and the Orient while the tradition of Compagnon was followed by guilds in Europe to construct structures like churches and sculptures.

There are two famous schools of Indian Vastu architecture — the Aryan (northern) and Dravidian (southern). The northern school consists of three well-known treatises: Visvakarma, Samarangana Sutradhara and Aparajita Praccha. The southern school consists of important manuscripts called Manasara, Mayamatam and Silparatna.

The renewed interest in Vaastu Shastra grew in India as a reaction to the architectural policy of the past 200 years, which were the result of emulating foreign forms. Ancient structures like monuments and temples — restored to reflect their original grandeur — which have defied the effects of time and weather, constantly challenge us to study the rules and regulations, or at least the methods and principles laid down by Vastu.

The super cyclone that hit Orissa in 1999 demolished many modern reinforced concrete buildings, while nothing happened to the 300-odd ancient temples. So the sole object of the study of these doctrines is to comprehend guidelines given to builders of the past, and pass on the wisdom to future generations.

Any manuscript on Vastu Shastra appears dogmatic in nature, but they give the right to the engineer/planner/architect to exercise originality.

The tradition should be seen as more of a guide than a restraint. Because of this, the practice of Vastu, used for over 15 centuries, is catching the attention of engineers, scientists and architects today, and home and business owners are open to implementing Vastu guidelines in industrial, commercial and residential spaces in modern India.

The author is a civil engineer and Vastu consultant