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Puja mandirs are sacred spaces in Indian homes where worship is conducted. Varieties of puja mandirs are manufactured and distributed based on available space, need, and design preference. Let's discuss some prominent types of puja mandirs.
As the name suggests, these mandirs are fixed on the wall and are ideal for small spaces as there is no requirement of floor space. Due to their compactness, they can be built with cabinets or shelves, where all the puja items can be placed. Many designs come embellished with traditional motifs, so they look lovely and fit in with the decor of the rest of the house.
Unlike wall-mounted mandirs, these are traditional and occupy spaces on the floor. The major distinction here is that every family member must visit the puja area since it is located on the floor. Further, these mandirs are much bigger than the wall-mounted style, allowing many idols or spiritual pictures. Elaborate designs with cabinets or drawers are made to store pooja items, incenses, and other items needed for rituals.
These days, many families opt for modular puja mandirs due to ease of relocation and changes in the future. These mandirs are committed furniture and are hence flexible in construction. Their design can be shifted easily if the requirement arises. They can be easily introduced into new homes or additional spaces.
One more type is a wall-embedded puja mandir that fits into the wall structure. This type of mandir is best for new constructions or when people want to insert a dedicated space for mandir without taking extra floor space. These are generally attached with glass panels to open the space for worship and close it for protection.
A widespread factor in Indian homes is a traditional wooden puja mandir with intricate carving work done on wood. These mandirs are durable and become a centre of attraction due to their design. Carved mandirs typically feature detailed images of gods and goddesses, floral patterns, and other traditional designs.
The various designs of available puja mandirs are based on the materials used, including contemporary as well as traditional designs. Further, ornate mandirs are designed in a complex manner, and every small detail is taken care of, while simple and contemporary mandirs carry a sober and simplistically elegant design.
Details like pillars, brackets, and peacock softboards on the wooden puja mandirs add to the luxury of the design. The marble puja mandirs, which are highly expensive, contain detailed etching and inlays with semi-precious stones, looking extraordinary. Bengal, South Indian style mandirs are again more decorated with hanging bells and more frescos and sculptures than the north or western mandirs, which are usually simple in design.
Modern mandirs are mostly made of artificial substances like MDF and laminated fibre or steel and glasses in which we rarely find the use of metalworks and woodwork. They are developed in a style that resonates with the modern home decor style and can even be used as standalone objects in the interior design.
Puja mandirs are produced in different specifications based on size, materials used, type of lighting fixed, storage facilities, and so on. The choice of mandir should resonate with the spiritual ambiance and be functionally suited to the worship requirements.
However, one can easily ascertain that wooden mandirs need more attention, while marbles, for instance, are cumbersome and need more cleaning than other materials. Mandirs with glass doors are also hard to maintain due to their locking mechanism. Inside storage cabinets or drawers too, require little effort to maintain cleanliness due to the presence of many items. Daily cleaning is minimal in a mandir, but deep cleaning is necessary at least weekly. This is about dust accumulation in temples, which is common in cities. If the 'mandir' contains idols, people avoid using strong detergents for cleaning idols and prefer wet soft fabric to do so.
During rainy seasons, wooden mandirs are to be paid more care by applying polish or wax depending on the manufacturer's instructions, while other types need only simple dusting. Further, scented candles or agarbatti should not be burnt near mandirs having glass work since that might leave deposits on the glass.
While buying puja mandirs, keep the below points in mind. These will help you in the long run:
Space
Before buying a puja mandir, estimate the space available and decide on the puja mandir type. For example, if you have very little space, you can mount the mandir on a wall, but if you have sufficient space, you can go for a floor mandir.
Material
Most manufactured puja mandirs are mostly made of wood, fibre-reinforced plastics, or marble. Each material has its own consideration in looks and life. Again, nothing is more elegant than a wooden mandir, while marble mandirs give a divine feel but are costly to maintain compared to other mandirs.
Design
The design of the mandir should fit with the existing decor of the room or the house as a whole. If the house's overall decor style is modern, a contemporary mandir will fit in nicely. On the other hand, if the decor is traditional, a mandir with intricate carvings would be more suitable.
Budget
Puja mandirs are available on various price range. The price basically depends on the design complexity, material used, and whether it's custom-made or ready-made. Set a budget range to avoid overspending and keep both functional and aesthetic considerations in mind.
Customization
Many sellers provide customization options as per specific design, size, or material preferences. If there is a specification that one needs to have, whether for religious or personal reasons, there will be opportunities for customization.
A. The puja mandir should be oriented to the northeast in a house as per vastu shastra principles. This direction is considered auspicious for spiritual energy. The puja mandir should be placed in a quiet, clean, and clutter-free area where one can concentrate peacefully when performing prayers and rituals.
A. The puja mandir should be cleaned every day using a dry cloth. Once a week, deep cleaning should be done with water and natural disinfectants. Once a month, a thorough cleaning where idols are removed and cleaned and the place is cleaned without any items.
A. Puja mandir maintenance depends on the material used. A marble mandir requires special attention with more gentle cleansing methods. We should use polish or wax on wooden mandirs only where applicable by the manufacturer. Glass door mandirs also need care. Daily cleaning is required for all mandirs, and special care should be taken for all puja products.
A. Puja mandirs are generally made out of wood, marble, steel, MDF, and laminates. Wood is mostly used because the mandir is warm and nicely textured. Mandirs are also carved out of marble because of exquisite as well as tough looks. MDF puja mandirs, laminated finishes are common in the modern mandirs.