The Sanskrit term puja is from the root puj, meaning honor or worship. Hindu practices call for a dedicated space or room in the house for worship, often called the puja room.

With divinity everywhere, why is there a need for a separate room for the divine?

The need for a separate room is quite rational. Like a dedicated study room or an office room, a puja room provides an environment of focus. And, it serves as the anchor and source of well-being to the home and family.

A personal form of supreme adorns the puja room. We elevate the feeling of sanctity through the five-step process. Once in the room or vicinity of it, the vibrations kindle godliness in the household members. Indeed, the room also serves as the focal point of the assembly during festivities or in daily worship.

Where should a puja room be located? This is an often asked question.

The common Hindu practice prefers the puja room to be in the north-eastern or eastern side of the house. We consider the rising sun in the east to be the infinite representation of supreme divinity. In the article on The Morning Invocation, Sandhyavandanam, oblations to the sun are an act of directing our attention to the symbolic and visual aspects of the universe. Likewise, the northern direction is presumed to be the path of brightness or light. In contemporary language, we use the term the northern star to mean something higher.

These beliefs have extended to the puja room and in the deity placement. Hence the recommendation is for the puja room to be on the northeast or eastern side and the deity to be on the east.

Does your home have space in the east or northeast? Then go for it. From a divine perspective, there is no such stringent need. Instead, the rule is to have faith, cleanliness, and a commitment to follow the five-step practice.

Keep the puja room or space free of clutter. The environment should be conducive to focus. We should experience divinity through internal contemplation and attention to the personal form. A clean and spacious area or place helps.

The Upanishadic all-pervading absolute or Gita’s all-pervading Krishna is everywhere. All directions are part of the cosmic person. Thus, who are we as mortals to say that the supreme is only in the east?