Brief
A compact 7ft × 5ft dedicated Pooja room in a Sahid Nagar apartment. The client’s requirement was unambiguous: it must feel genuinely sacred, not like a display unit. The craft must reflect the reverence of traditional Odia artisanal work.
Design Approach
We partnered with local CNC artisans to create custom teak jaali panels — a traditional Odia geometric lattice pattern based on the Konark Sun Temple motif. These panels line all three walls at 2.4m height, creating a visual boundary that feels architectural rather than decorative.
The Deity Platform
A three-tier marble platform in White Makrana marble. The proportions follow traditional Odia shrine dimensions: bottom tier at floor level for lamps and flowers, middle tier for smaller idols, upper tier as the primary deity placement.
Custom solid brass railings border the platform edges — sourced from a Cuttack artisan workshop.
Lighting
Three lighting zones:
- Top cove: 2700K warm LEDs behind a teak cornice, casting downward glow
- Deity backlighting: Individual warm spotlights for each idol placement
- Ambient: A single brass pendant lamp at centre for the morning ritual atmosphere
There are NO fluorescent or cool-white LEDs in this room. Lighting colour temperature was the most carefully considered element of this design.
The Door
A traditional double-shutter door in carved teak with a peacock motif — the symbol of divine beauty in Odia tradition. Hand-crafted, hand-painted in mineral gold.
Result
The client’s mother — the primary user of this space — reportedly cried when she saw it. For us, that is the highest possible review score.