Dead Person Photo Direction as per Vastu

Placing a deceased loved one’s photo in your home is a heartfelt tribute. But according to Vastu Shastra, it’s important to know the correct dead person photo direction as per Vastu to maintain spiritual balance and energy harmony.

In Vastu Shastra, the placement of a dead person’s photo—also called pictures of the deceased, departed soul, ancestor, Pitru, or late loved one—holds immense spiritual and energetic significance.

Improper placement can disturb both the memory of the departed and the peace of your living space.

In this guide, we’ll explain the right directions for ancestor’s photo, zones to avoid, spiritual reasons behind placement, and expert tips to help you honor your ancestors respectfully and Vastu-compliantly.

📌 Ideal Direction for Dead Person Photo as per Vastu

South direction is the most auspicious and Vastu-approved direction to keep a deceased person’s photo.

✅ South Direction is the most suitable direction to place photos of deceased family members. This direction is governed by Yama, the deity of death, and is associated with ancestors in Vastu and spiritual traditions.

👉 Why South Direction?

• It connects with Pitru Loka (realm of ancestors).
• Helps maintain balance in the family tree and lineage.
• Honors departed souls without interfering with the energy of the living.
• Tip: Always place the photo on the south-facing wall, so the picture itself faces north.

South-West (Nairutya) – Highly Recommended

• Element: Earth – provides grounding and stability.
• Ruled by: Nairuti (guardian of ancestors)
• Significance: Represents ancestral energy, legacy, and karmic memory.
• Placement Tip: Place photos on the South-West wall facing North or East.
• Why: This zone connects your home to ancestral roots and strengthens family bonds.

Keeping photos of the deceased in this direction anchors their blessings while avoiding energetic disturbance to divine spaces like temples.

West Direction – Acceptable If South/SW Not Possible

• Element: Water – linked to memory, reflection.
• Ruled by: Varun Dev
• Placement Tip: Place on the West wall, and photo should face East.
• Why: West is emotionally reflective, making it suitable for remembering loved ones. However, it lacks the grounding power of the South-West.

❌ Directions to Avoid for Deceased Photos

To keep energy balanced, avoid placing photos of deceased loved ones in these directions:

🚫 North-East (Ishan Corner) – Strictly Forbidden

• This is the zone of deities, purity, and divine consciousness.
• Placing ancestor photos here creates an energetic conflict.
• It may lead to mental unrest, confusion, or spiritual blockages.
• Do not keep dead person’s photo in pooja room, mandir.
• Mixing ancestral and divine energies is inauspicious and should always be avoided.

🚫 Direction	⚠️ Why to Avoid placing Deceased Photo
North-East	This is the most spiritual zone; placing Pitru photos here may block divine flow.
East or North	These directions are for growth, prosperity, and living energy—not ancestral energy.
South-East	Represents fire (Agni); may create imbalance or conflicts.
Center (Brahmasthan)	Central zone must be kept free for energy circulation.

Vastu Tips for Placing Ancestor or Pitru Photos

To ensure positivity, follow these Vastu rules while placing deceased person photographs at home:

• ✅ Place photos in the South zone.
• ✅ Keep the area clean, clutter-free, and respectful.
• ✅ Frame should be simple and not flashy.
• ✅ Photos should show only the deceased, not with living members.
• ✅ Keep the picture at eye level — not too high or too low.
• ✅Avoid garlanding with dried flowers—only fresh or artificial flowers are preferred.
• ✅ Place a diya or candle near the photo during Pitru Paksha or remembrance days.
• ✅ Keep the space neat and respectful. Dusting regularly is essential.
• ❌No mirror should reflect the ancestor photo.
• ❌Never hang a dead person’s photo near or above the main entrance.
• ❌Never keep dead person’s photo in your bedroom, especially not near your headrest.
• ❌Do not place it in the main puja altar where living deities are worshipped—it disrupts divine energy.

Spiritual Reason for Proper Dead Photo Placement

In Hindu culture, it’s believed that improperly placing pictures of dead relatives may disturb both the energies of the home and the peace of the soul. The Pitru Dosha in Vastu or astrology is often linked to disrespect or neglect of ancestors.

By placing their photos in the right direction:

• ✨ You honor their legacy.
• ✨ Bring blessings and protection.
• ✨ Avoid blockages in marriage, health, or career progress for family members.

When to Remove a Dead Person’s Photo?

Can We Keep Pitru Photos in Living Room or Bedroom?

• Living Room: Yes, only on the south wall, and it should be a clean, calm corner.
• Bedroom: Not advised unless it’s a dedicated memorial space and you’re single. For couples, avoid it as per

Why Are Dead People Not Considered Gods in Vastu?

Vastu Separates Divine Energy (Deva) and Departed Energy (Pitru). In Vastu Shastra;

• Deities (Gods) represent living divine energy, light, purity, and ongoing blessings.
• Deceased ancestors (Pitrus) represent departed souls who have left their physical body and are moving through their karmic journey in the Pitru Lok (ancestral realm).

Why dead person photos are avoided in Pooja Room or Northeast:

• Ancestor photos carry emotional and karmic energies—sorrow, attachment, remembrance, and closure.
• These energies conflict with the high-frequency sattvic (pure) energy of deities.
• Mixing the two can block positive flow and disturb peace, clarity, and prosperity.

Vastu View:

“Worship the divine in the North-East. Honor the departed in the South.” Each energy has its own direction, purpose, and placement.

FAQ’s – Dead Person Photo Placement Vastu

Q: Can we keep dead person photos in the pooja room?

A: No. Photos of the deceased should not be kept with living deities in the main pooja room. Create a separate memorial space or keep it in the South of your living area.

Q: Which photo frame is best for a deceased person?

A: A simple frame in wood or bronze is ideal. Avoid flashy or ornate frames. Keep it respectful and clean.

Q: Is it okay to keep ancestor photos in the bedroom?

A: No. Keeping such photos in the bedroom can affect sleep quality and emotional health. Avoid it entirely.

Q: Should the dead person’s photo face any specific direction?

A: Yes. The face in the photo should face North, and it should be hung on the South wall of the room.

Q: What happens if we place photos in the wrong direction?

A: While nothing supernatural may occur, it can lead to emotional unrest, disruption of peace, health issues, or blockages in blessings from ancestors according to Vastu belief.

Q: Where to Hang Photos of Deceased According to Vastu?

A: According to Vastu, the south-west corner is considered the most suitable area for placing photos of deceased family members.

Q: Which direction should a pitru photo face?

A: As per Vastu [lace ancestors’ photos in the Southwest, South or West direction. It should face towards North when hung on the south wall.

Q: What if I already have ancestor photos in the North-East?

A: It is best advised to move the photo and hang on the South or South-West wall.

Q: Is it true that departed soul photos should not be kept in the house as per Vastu?

A: No, that’s not true. Vastu Shastra does not forbid keeping photos of departed souls at home, but it emphasizes placing them in the correct direction. Photos of deceased loved ones can be kept as a mark of respect and remembrance, but they should be placed in the South or South-West direction, which aligns with ancestral and grounding energies. Avoid placing them in the North-East, pooja room, or bedroom, as these areas are meant for divine or active energies and may lead to energetic imbalance if misused.

Conclusion

Placing dead person’s photos as per Vastu Shastra is a way to express love and respect while maintaining energetic harmony at home.

The South wall is the sacred space where your Pitru (ancestors) are believed to reside. Honoring their memory with correct placement, cleanliness, and light rituals ensures peace for both them and you.