In India, it is believed that the direction a house faces can have an impact on the well-being and prosperity of the people living in it. North-facing houses are considered to be auspicious, and are preferred, by many Indians for several reasons:
1. Sunlight: North-facing houses receive ample sunlight, especially during the winter months when the sun is low on the horizon. This provides natural warmth and light, making the house comfortable to live in.
2. Vastu Shastra: Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian science of architecture that emphasizes, among many other psycho-spiritual elements, the importance of the direction a house faces. According to Vastu Shastra, North-facing houses are considered to be more conducive to the flow of positive energy and prosperity.
3. Climate: In many parts of India, especially in the southern states, the summer heat can be quite intense. North-facing houses tend to be cooler and more comfortable during the summer months.
4. Religious beliefs: In Hinduism, the North is associated with wealth and prosperity, as this cardinal direction is ruled by Kubera, the treasurer of gods. It is believed that a North-facing house can attract positive energies and blessings from him, and other gods and goddesses, whose abode is said to be the Himalayas — the northernmost frontier of the Indian mainland.
Though the access roads to the sites could lie in any direction, the houses are constructed in such a way that their main doors face the North. However, it is important to note that while many Indians do prefer North-facing houses, this is not a universal preference; there are many factors that influence a person’s decision when it comes to choosing or constructing a home.