Vaastu can rescue from perils of unplanned urbanisation

Vaastu shastra should be followed to curb ongoing unplanned urbanisation, the head of Ranbir and Chitra Gupta School of Infrastructure Design and Management, IIT-KGP, Prof. Joy Sen said today.

"Incorporating Vaastu principles in designs of buildings could make buildings more eco-friendly since principles of layout, measurements, ground preparation, space arrangement and spatial geometry are well defined in Vaastu Shastra," Sen told PTI on the sidelines of a discussion on 'Vaastu in Global Perspective'.

Terrestrial science, solar science and ecological science are merged into one in Vaastu science, he said.

"Remember how old buildings had 'Purber verandah' (verandahs with east open),'Garomer ghar' (summer rooms) and 'Siter ghar'(winter rooms). All that is gone in most modern buildings," the academician said.
 

"The architecture of the Tagore household at Jorasanko embodies the concept of shared living and meditation," he said, adding that the concept of such old buildings were in sync with nature and ecology.

"Go through the lanes and by-lanes in Lucknow, Varanasi and in parts of north Kolkata, and see the buildings. You will understand what I am talking about," he said.

Pointing out that well known real estate firms these days are incorporating features of Vaastu Shastra in their buildings, Sen said, "In recent times, many leading architects are considering about following Vaastu features in their works and that is a good sign."

"But there should be more awareness," he added. Prof Sen also talked about a project on the heritage city of Varanasi.

"Our Project Varanasi is based on eco-tourism, heritage tourism, on the river, the participation of communities and their economy for centuries," he said.

The workshop was organised jointly by Chitra Gupta School of Infrastructure Design and Management, IIT-KGP and Management and another organisation 'Unlimited Potential'.

"The aim of the workshop was to provide a basic understanding on various principles of designing and managing built environment, based on ancient knowledge of Vaastu and Fengshui and their applicability in specific contexts" said Dr Ankhi Banerjee, the coordinator of the workshop.