Vastu Shastra is an ancient design science for buildings, developed thousands of years ago in India. Vastu Shastra is followed to bring about and maintain harmony between man and nature. It is followed with the belief that positivity along with peace and prosperity will prevail in the house, if the rules of vastu are strictly followed. It is also believed that if the buildings are constructed according to ones whims and pleasure, it might lead to defective vastu which is not considered auspicious.

Parking Vastu Shastra
Parking Vastu Shastra relates to the direction, arrangement and placement of vehicles in the parking area, along with its location. It highlights correct utilization of space available in a portion of the building called parking lot. Parking area is usually designed at the bottom of the building. Vehicles are generally big in size. They cannot be kept at home. Therefore, provisions are made to keep them in a separate area. It ensures safekeeping of cars and other vehicles owned and used by the members of the building. Another important reason to accommodate vehicles in the parking area is better efficiency and long life of vehicles. Vastu is known to ensure safekeeping of objects. For it to be effective, one must confirm to Vastu norms. A parking area is also available in terms of garage and shed, depending on the size of the structure in which it is constructed.

Guidelines Laid Down by Vastu Shastra for Parking Area
These are the rules enumerated by vastu science for the correct location, roof, floor, colour and entrance of the parking area, along with appropriate directions to park vehicles in this area. It is based on the premise that vehicles will be kept safe, if appropriate directions are used to locate the area and park the vehicles. Scientific reasons are also highlighted for designing the parking area in a particular way.

Location of Parking Area
The parking area should be located in the north-west or south-east direction of the house. If the north-west direction of the house is chosen, then it will involve lot of travelling, resulting in success in the activities to be undertaken and well-being. The vehicle consequently remains for a very short time in the parking area. One should avoid north-east direction for locating the parking area as it is believed to be the direction for heavenly forces to enter the house. Construction of car porches should also be avoided in the south-west portion of the house. This is suggested because the master bedrooms and other bedrooms are generally kept in the south-west corner. Therefore, each time the car is started, the exhaust fumes will enter the bedrooms. South-west is the direction of "tamas" energy. Vehicles will require constant repairing, if the parking area is located in this direction. If the parking area is facing the south or west side, then fire hazards might be a possibility. In addition, any inflammable material should be avoided near the parking area. It is also important to note that the garage in the basement should strictly be in the north or east, as here, one would not face the problem of the car obstructing light.

Parking Area
Vastu generally recommends the roof of the porch to be lower than the roof of the main building, to allow constant and morning sunlight in the house. The roof of the parking area should be constructed in such a way, that it slopes downward towards north. There should be a minimum space of 2 feet to 3 feet all around the parking area for easy accessibility of vehicles and flow of energy. The floor of the parking area should be sloping towards north or east. Light colours like white, yellow etc, should be used to paint the parking area. This is preferred because light colors reflect light and help one to see clearly, whereas dark colours make the space appear darker and full of shadows, which is not a sign of auspiciousness. Vastu suggests that the gate or door of the parking area should either be in the east or the north. One should also take care that the height of the entrance gate is less than the compound wall. The parking area should not touch the compound wall. In order to support the parking area on the compound wall, the compound wall would have to be raised. This will reduce the amount of light entering the house.

Parking Directions
North-west direction of the parking area is considered the best to park vehicles. Parking is prohibited in north-east and south-west corners of the parking area. Car parking in the west-north west direction of the house should be avoided. According to vastu, this is the zone of depression and low moods. It can result in unusual breakdowns and high maintenance costs of cars. Similarly, one should avoid parking cars in the east-south east direction. This direction is considered to be the zone of churning and anxiety, which can cause sudden problems in the cars. Many vastu case studies have noted feuds with neighbours over parking issues, when the car was parked in this zone. South-south-west is the zone of expenditure and wastage. Car parking in this direction may result in car theft cases, even after installing latest security system in the car. It should also be kept in mind that vastu considers south-east to be the zone of fire element. In balanced state, fire plays the role of a protector, but if it is in a state of disequilibrium, it may cause accidents. Car parking in this direction may result in accidents, even if one drives safely and obeys all the traffic rules, like speed limits. South-east direction of the house should again be avoided, if ones car is blue or silver blue or black in colour. If one has no choice, then the walls surrounding the car should be painted in green shade or some green plants can also be used as a remedy. Instead of resorting to demolition or reconstruction, some other vastu remedies like light and metals can also be used.

Vehicles should be parked facing east or north direction. This is suggested because morning light would be available from the east and constant sunlight from the north. So, the engine of the vehicle would get heated up, making it easier to start. One should avoid parking cars facing south.