Vastu Culture in Nepal

Use of vastu Shastra was a wide spread practice in Nepalese culture.The Temples,Mathas,Chowks etc found in Nepal,especially within Katmandu Valley, Which are estabilished in various periods of Nepalese history.These are prime examples of use of vastu in Nepal.
Another Typical example of vastu being practiced in Nepal which is not obvious to general public is the use of Shagun. Shagun is a very important and symbolic practice in Newari culture, which has been practiced since ancient times. Shagun consist of five different varities of foods and it is believed that these represent five elements of the nature.Bara(Who) representing the Ether,Egg representing the Earth, Ginger representing the Fire, Fish representing the Water and Meat representing the Air.
Shagun is given to a person to consume when these things are going well e.g. promotion at work etc to wish them further success. Shagun is also given when things are not going well for a person e.g. after accident etc.it is believed that things don’t go well, When five elements of nature are not in harmony.As people are generally not aware of which elements out of five are causing this disharmony. It is believed that all the five elements are included is Shagun to cover all the grounds.The basic idea is that when a person consumes Shagun is balances all the five elements that are required for a successful healthy and happy life.
Integration of Vastu Shastra in Newari Culture can also be seen in Mha Puja (Atma Puja), which is celebrated in Tihar (Deepawali).Mha Ouja is performed by praying a Mandala and offering Shagun (described above) for purification strengthening and understanding of the self. This mandala consists of five circles representing five element of nature which is turn is surrounded by Ashta Chiranjeevi for health and long life. Each Family member transfers their own five elements into this Mandala and performs a prayer to balance the five elements.