God Photo and Ancestor Photo Direction

[sg_ganesh]

Share:

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Share Link

Hi everyone,

This is a question I've come across many times, and I'm sure many of you have wondered about it too. It's commonly said that God's photo should be placed in the EAST direction, while ancestor photos should be in the SOUTH direction. However, this can get a bit confusing, especially in apartment living.

From a practical standpoint, the terms "east direction" and "south direction" can have two interpretations—should the photos face inward or outward? Another common question is whether we should be facing east or south while praying.

To better understand this, I tried placing a compass on a house layout and marked the walls with numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. I also marked the entrance for reference.

I would truly appreciate insights from anyone with deep knowledge on this topic. Knowing the right placement would be a great blessing and help many of us seeking clarity.

Please, let us know from the attached photo perspective. The photo has a compass and wall number marked.

Thanks so much in advance!
Ganesh

 

[sunita]

From your image:

• Wall 1 – SOUTH-facing
• Wall 2 – EAST-facing
• Wall 3 – NORTH-facing (near entrance)
• Wall 4 – WEST-facing

You’ve marked the compass correctly and the walls are numbered. So let's analyze the placement options:

---

For God's Photo/Idol:​

• Ideal placement: On Wall 4 (West wall)
• Reason: This allows the devotee to face East while praying.
• So, placing God’s image or pooja mandapam on Wall 4 is correct.

---

For Ancestor (Pithru) Photos:​

• Ideal placement: On Wall 3 (North wall)
• Reason: This allows you to face South during Pithru prayers or Shraddham.
• So, placing ancestor photos on Wall 3 is correct.

---

What to avoid:​

• Wall 1 (South wall) – Not for God photos, as you will face North while praying (which is not ideal).
• Wall 2 (East wall) – Not ideal for either, because you’ll be facing West (generally not recommended in most traditions for daily pooja).

---

If you follow the below:​

• God’s photos on Wall 4 (West) ✔
• Ancestor photos on Wall 3 (North) ✔

Then your setup fully follows the traditional and vastu guidelines.

 

[prasad1]

From your image:

• Wall 1 – SOUTH-facing
• Wall 2 – EAST-facing
• Wall 3 – NORTH-facing (near entrance)
• Wall 4 – WEST-facing

You’ve marked the compass correctly and the walls are numbered. So let's analyze the placement options:

---

For God's Photo/Idol:​

• Ideal placement: On Wall 4 (West wall)
• Reason: This allows the devotee to face East while praying.
• So, placing God’s image or pooja mandapam on Wall 4 is correct.

---

For Ancestor (Pithru) Photos:​

• Ideal placement: On Wall 3 (North wall)
• Reason: This allows you to face South during Pithru prayers or Shraddham.
• So, placing ancestor photos on Wall 3 is correct.

---

What to avoid:​

• Wall 1 (South wall) – Not for God photos, as you will face North while praying (which is not ideal).
• Wall 2 (East wall) – Not ideal for either, because you’ll be facing West (generally not recommended in most traditions for daily pooja).

---

If you follow the below:​

• God’s photos on Wall 4 (West) ✔
• Ancestor photos on Wall 3 (North) ✔

Then your setup fully follows the traditional and vastu guidelines.

I do not know Vastu.
In our Temple we have Idols facing in all 3 directions Except West.

 

[prasad1]

Which direction should the deity idol face? | DEEJOS

According to Vastu Shastra, placing deity idols facing the east direction is considered highly auspicious. God should face east because the rising sun symbolizes new beginnings and spiritual growth.

www.deejos.com

Post in thread 'Direction of God's Photo in Pooja Room'

Aug 12, 2013

I do not know about kolu. But I know for certain that photos of the Gods will face West or South. We are to face East or North while doing pooja or reciting slokams etc. and we would be sitting facing the God's picture or sitting in a side on position so as not to turn our back to the pictures of the Gods. So necessarily God's photos should be facing West or South only.

According to the practice followed in many tabra homes, I have found that the photos/images/idols of gods to be worshipped will face the East and if, somehow, this is impractical, these should be kept facing the...

• sangom

Our scholar Sangomji said:


Directions (NEWS) have no relevance. If you place god's photo facing east, in your Chennai home, the line of direction will stretch all around the (almost round) globe and reach back from the west. Similarly, for north-facing photos/idols, the "drishti" of the god will stretch, pass through the north pole, again the south pole and come back from the south.

The sanctity of directions, the four cardinal points & the four intermediate points, etc., were notions started when the world believed in a flat earth, surrounded by the "dyaus" or sky. These may not have any great relevance now.
एकं सद्विप्रा नैव जानन्ति ।

Post in thread 'Direction of God's Photo in Pooja Room'

Oct 11, 2013

There are certain situations where time and direction does not apply like orbiting in space for example..so that is why we are told to look inward at the Antaryami..that direction can never go out of fashion.

Directions (NEWS) have no relevance. If you place god's photo facing east, in your Chennai home, the line of direction will stretch all around the (almost round) globe and reach back from the west. Similarly, for north-facing photos/idols, the "drishti" of the god will stretch, pass through the north pole, again the south pole and come back from the south.

The sanctity of...

• sangom