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True North and Magnetic North in Vastu Shastra: Key Facts

Special thanks to "Heather L", San Diego, USA, for inspiring this article.

Understanding True North and Magnetic North

True North and Magnetic North True North, also known as geographic north, is the direction pointing toward Earth's geographic North Pole (the axis around which the Earth rotates). If extended outward, the axis points toward the Pole Star (Polaris) in the night sky.

Magnetic North is the direction that a magnetic compass points, toward Earth's constantly shifting magnetic North Pole. The Earth's magnetic field causes this pole to move over time.

What is the Difference Between True North and Magnetic North? Which One Should Be Followed in Vastu?

Answer:

True North refers to the direction pointing toward the Earth's geographic North Pole, while Magnetic North points to the direction a compass needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field. In Vastu, it is essential to use True North, as Magnetic North can vary over time and location due to magnetic declination. The table below gives a clear comparison.

Feature True North Magnetic North
Definition Points to the Earth's geographic North Pole Points to Earth's magnetic North (compass reading)
Symbol in maps ★ or ↑ (Star or Arrow) 🧲 or 'MN'
Color representation Black or Blue Red (matching compass needle)
Accuracy Fixed and accurate globally Varies by location and changes over time
Importance in Vastu Highly important – should always be used Not recommended due to inconsistency
Used in Vastu planning? Yes – Always use True North No – Can mislead direction alignment

Conclusion: Always align your home or plot layout based on True North for accurate Vastu results. If using a compass, make sure to correct for local magnetic declination or use a mobile app that shows True North.


Core Differences at a Glance

Aspect True North Magnetic North
Definition Geographic North Pole, fixed direction relative to Earth Magnetic North Pole, direction compass points, variable
Use in Navigation Used for mapmaking, satellites, astronomy Used by compasses, pilots, ships
Stability Remains constant Moves naturally over time
Movement (last 200 years) Does not move Shifted over 2,000 km since 1830s

Facts About Magnetic North's Movement

In the past 200 years, Earth's magnetic North Pole has shifted by more than 2,000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles) from northern Canada toward Russia.

It is currently moving at an average rate of 50–60 km per year.

This movement is a result of liquid iron dynamics in Earth's outer core.

The angle difference between magnetic north and true north is called "magnetic declination" and varies by location.

Relevance of Magnetic North and True North in Vastu

In Vastu, the difference between True North and Magnetic North is generally not critical for standard plot orientation or home design.

Magnetic compasses are commonly used during Vastu surveys, making Magnetic North the practical and widely accepted reference.

However, some traditional practitioners prefer to use True North (based on the geographic or astronomical north), especially for large-scale or complex constructions.

While the difference between the two is significant in precision-based fields like aviation, Vastu places more emphasis on directional energies rather than minute angular variations.

In conclusion, Magnetic North, easily found with a standard compass, is sufficient and accepted for most Vastu consultations and layout planning.

How to Mark North-South Directions on a Plot

Assume the plot is rectangular or square. For irregular shapes, consult a professional in this field.

Join midpoints of opposite sides to find the geometric center, known as Brahmasthan.

Place a magnetic compass at the Brahmasthan and mark the exact North-South axis.

Draw a perpendicular line to mark the East-West axis.

Sector divisions (like 23.5° on either side) can be used to identify Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest corners per Vastu rules.

Physical Facts Important to Vastu

Earth's axial tilt is 23.5°, and the total deviation over the year is 47° (23.5° N and 23.5° S).

Vastu divisions of directions (like 47° for main directions and 43° for corners) are symbolic and based on geometric principles, not astronomy.

Earth's real equatorial circumference is about 40,075 km, and its diameter is approximately 12,756 km.

Important Note

From the Vastu perspective, distinguishing between true north and magnetic north is not required for regular applications. Unlike navigation where GPS or pilots rely on high accuracy and make relevant corrections, Vaastu considers the broader energetic alignment, making general compass use sufficient.

In Vastu, aligning structures to magnetic north using standard compass tools is commonly accepted. The belief that the Sun rises strictly in the East is simplified, for accurate Vastu layout, plot-specific compass readings are used.

"Brahmasthan" refers to the geometric center and is key for aligning directions properly. East-West and North-South axes created from this point determine the plot zoning for rooms, doors, and energy flow.

Some anecdotes shared by a Vastu consultant in California regarding Vastu being unfeasible at the North Pole are practically valid. Floating ice, no permanent buildings, and severe climate make application non-viable. Similarly, discussions with a Vastu consultant from Texas in a casual meet in Dubai about planning to round trip to the Greenlands reflects the appeal and curiosity of exploring Vastu in distant terrains.

Global Magnetic Declination and True North Reference Table (2025).

S.No Place Magnetic North (°) Declination (°) Example True North Facing (°) Comments
1 Thiruvananthapuram 0 -1.5 88.5 Small westwards correction
2 Kochi 0 -1.55 88.45 Slight westwards correction
3 Madurai 0 -1.55 88.45 Slight westwards correction
4 Chennai 0 -1.11 88.89 Minor westward shift
5 Coimbatore 0 -2.0 88.0 Noticeable westward correction
6 Puducherry 0 -1.5 88.5 Slight westwards correction
7 Bangalore 0 -1.11 88.89 Minor correction west
8 Mangalore 0 -1.08 88.92 Tiny westwards correction
9 Kalaburgi 0 -0.48 89.52 Negligible correction
10 Panaji 0 -0.64 89.36 Very slight correction west
11 Hyderabad 0 -0.53 89.47 Negligible correction
12 Visakhapatnam 0 -0.9 89.1 Negligible westwards shift
13 Guntur 0 -1.0 89.0 Negligible correction
14 Nagpur 0 -0.03 89.97 Almost none
15 Mumbai 0 -0.04 89.96 Effectively true east
16 Kolkata 0 +0.77 90.77 Slight east correction
17 Bhubaneswar 0 +0.74 90.74 Slight east correction
18 Jaipur 0 +1.1 91.1 Eastwards correction
19 Delhi 0 +1.3 91.3 Small east correction
20 Lucknow 0 +0.90 90.90 Minimal east correction
21 Tampa 0 -6.16 83.84 Significant westward correction
22 Dallas 0 -1.26 88.74 Slight westwards shift
23 Charlotte 0 -7.99 82.01 Strong westward correction
24 Phoenix 0 -12.33 77.67 Major westward shift
25 San Jose 0 +7.42 97.42 Significant east correction
26 New Jersey 0 -10.55 79.45 Large westwards correction
27 Philadelphia 0 -5.20 84.80 Noticeable west shift
28 Seattle 0 +15.02 105.02 Extremely large east correction
29 Toronto 0 -10.15 79.85 Large westwards shift
30 London 0 -1.68 88.32 Slight west correction
31 Dubai 0 +0.5 90.5 Minimal east shift
32 Latvia 0 +8.35 98.35 Large east correction
33 Singapore 0 +0.2 90.2 Negligible eastward
34 Kuala Lumpur 0 -0.73 89.27 Slight west correction
35 Kathmandu 0 +0.6 90.6 Minimal eastwards
36 Colombo 0 +0.9 90.9 Minimal east shift
37 Jakarta 0 +0.3 90.3 Slight east correction
38 Perth 0 +0.1 90.1 Negligible
39 Melbourne 0 -11.5 78.5 Large west correction
40 Adelaide 0 -12.0 78.0 Large west shift
41 Auckland 0 +20.0 110.0 Extremely large east correction
42 Tokyo 0 -7.5 82.5 Strong westwards
43 Hong Kong 0 -3.5 86.5 Westwards correction
44 Bahrain 0 +2.5 92.5 East correction
45 Kuwait 0 +4.5 94.5 Substantial east shift

True North and Magnetic Declination Guide for North-Facing Properties

S.No Place Magnetic North (°) Declination (°) Example True North Facing (°) Comments
1 Trivandrum 0 -1.5 88.5 Small westwards correction
2 Kochi 0 -1.55 88.45 Slight westwards correction
3 Madurai 0 -1.55 88.45 Slight westwards correction
4 Chennai 0 -1.11 88.89 Minor westward shift
5 Coimbatore 0 -2.0 88.0 Noticeable westward correction
6 Puducherry 0 -1.5 88.5 Slight westwards correction
7 Bangalore 0 -1.11 88.89 Minor correction west
8 Mangalore 0 -1.08 88.92 Tiny westwards correction
9 Kalaburgi 0 -0.48 89.52 Negligible correction
10 Panaji 0 -0.64 89.36 Very slight correction west
11 Hyderabad 0 -0.53 89.47 Negligible correction
12 Visakhapatnam 0 -0.9 89.1 Negligible westwards shift
13 Guntur 0 -1.0 89.0 Negligible correction
14 Nagpur 0 -0.03 89.97 Almost none
15 Mumbai 0 -0.04 89.96 Effectively true east
16 Kolkata 0 +0.77 90.77 Slight east correction
17 Bhubaneswar 0 +0.74 90.74 Slight east correction
18 Jaipur 0 +1.1 91.1 Eastwards correction
19 Delhi 0 +1.3 91.3 Small east correction
20 Lucknow 0 +0.90 90.90 Minimal east correction
21 Tampa 0 -6.16 83.84 Significant westward correction
22 Dallas 0 -1.26 88.74 Slight westwards shift
23 Charlotte 0 -7.99 82.01 Strong westward correction
24 Phoenix 0 -12.33 77.67 Major westward shift
25 San Jose 0 +7.42 97.42 Significant east correction
26 New Jersey 0 -10.55 79.45 Large westwards correction
27 Philadelphia 0 -5.20 84.80 Noticeable west shift
28 Seattle 0 +15.02 105.02 Extremely large east correction
29 Toronto 0 -10.15 79.85 Large westwards shift
30 London 0 -1.68 88.32 Slight west correction
31 Dubai 0 +0.5 90.5 Minimal east shift
32 Latvia 0 +8.35 98.35 Large east correction
33 Singapore 0 +0.2 90.2 Negligible eastward
34 Kuala Lumpur 0 -0.73 89.27 Slight west correction
35 Kathmandu 0 +0.6 90.6 Minimal eastwards
36 Colombo 0 +0.9 90.9 Minimal east shift
37 Jakarta 0 +0.3 90.3 Slight east correction
38 Perth 0 +0.1 90.1 Negligible
39 Melbourne 0 -11.5 78.5 Large west correction
40 Adelaide 0 -12.0 78.0 Large west shift
41 Auckland 0 +20.0 110.0 Extremely large east correction
42 Tokyo 0 -7.5 82.5 Strong westwards
43 Hong Kong 0 -3.5 86.5 Westwards correction
44 Bahrain 0 +2.5 92.5 East correction
45 Kuwait 0 +4.5 94.5 Substantial east shift

Interesting Links to Visit

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4. Read the detailed 49 guidelines of North direction homes including reader queries and our answers.

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10. When residents are seeking information on Vastu Shastra for home, they can find exactly what they need at this link, which offers comprehensive guidance and details.

Does Google Maps Show True North or Magnetic North?

Dear sir, when using Google Maps, are directions shown according to True North or Magnetic North? - Ramamurthy - Atlanta.

1. The answer is simple: Google Maps always uses True North as its reference. The top of the map display in Google Maps is aligned with the geographic North Pole, which is known as True North. This means that any direction or angle you observe in Google Maps, such as how the plot is aligned or where the entrance faces, is based on fixed, unchanging geographic directions.

2. Unlike a physical compass, which points toward Magnetic North and requires adjustments (declination) based on location, Google Maps does not require any such correction. Therefore, when using Google Maps for site analysis or layout planning, especially for North-facing, East-facing, or any direction-specific properties, you can confidently use the directional data as True North.

3. This makes Google Maps a highly reliable and convenient tool for Vastu consultants, architects, engineers, and homeowners who are planning to orient their property accurately. You do not need to calculate or apply magnetic declination separately, everything shown is already based on True North.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on True North, Magnetic North

If residents have questions, they are welcome to submit them through our Contact Us page. Upon receiving your message with a proper greeting, we will be happy to respond with detailed answers and guidance.

Have Any Questions?

Contact SubhaVaastuRespected residents may send questions on this article. Expect our reply within "5 minutes" to "24 hours" depending on proper greeting.

Q1: What Is The Difference Between True North And Magnetic North?

True North is the direction along Earth's surface toward the geographic North Pole. It serves as a fixed, universally accepted reference in mapping and navigation.

Magnetic North is the direction that a magnetic compass points, determined by Earth's magnetic field. Unlike True North, Magnetic North varies by location and can gradually change over time.

The difference in angle between Magnetic North and True North at any location is called magnetic declination.

Q2: Should Vastu Consultants Use True North Or Magnetic North For Site Orientation?

Vastu principles always require orientation with respect to True North because it relates to fixed cosmic directions and energy flows. Magnetic North is unreliable for long-term construction alignment since it shifts with time and place. To use a compass for Vastu, convert its reading to True North by applying the local magnetic declination.

Q3: How Do I Know The Magnetic Declination At My Location?

Magnetic declination values vary worldwide and shift slightly each year. You can check the latest declination for your area via online geomagnetic calculators, national geological survey websites, or trusted satellite mapping tools. Most local values will be a fraction of a degree to a few degrees east or west.

Q4: If I Find A Property’s Orientation On Google Maps, Is That With Respect To True North Or Magnetic North?

Google Maps displays all directions with respect to True North. The top of the map always points to the geographic North Pole. This means directions and bearings from Google Maps do not require declination correction and are reliable for Vastu and site orientation work.

Q5: What Happens If I Start Construction Based On Magnetic North Without Correcting For Declination?

If you start construction based solely on Magnetic North without correcting for declination, it can result in alignment errors depending on your location. In some regions, the magnetic declination (the angle between Magnetic North and True North) is minimal, less than 1°, causing little to no noticeable effect. However, in areas with larger declination (5° or more), this can lead to a significant deviation from True North, resulting in misalignment with key Vastu principles. Such misalignment may not affect the structural integrity of the building but could potentially disturb the intended energy flow and balance as per Vastu guidelines. For accuracy and better results, it is always recommended to adjust compass readings to True North when planning your layout.

Q6: How Do I Convert a Compass Reading (Magnetic North Based) to True North?

Use this formula:
True Bearing = Compass Bearing + Magnetic Declination

If the declination is positive (east), add it; if negative (west), subtract it. For example, in Hyderabad, with a declination of about -0.53°, a compass reading of 90° (East) would actually correspond to 89.47° True North.

Q7: Is There A Simple Way To Visualize The Difference Between Magnetic North And True North?

Yes, magnetic declination diagrams are used to visualize this difference. Typically, True North is depicted by a fixed star or arrow, while Magnetic North appears as a red dot or compass needle. The angle between the two is labeled as “declination,” indicating direction as East or West.

Q8: For International Locations, How Significant Can Magnetic Declination Be?

Magnetic declination can vary greatly around the world. In some places, such as Seattle (USA), it can exceed +15° east, and in Auckland (New Zealand), about +20° east. In other locations, it may be near zero or slightly negative. Accurate site alignment, especially for Vastu in international locations, requires precise, location-specific declination correction.

Q9: Is There A Resource That Lists Magnetic Declination For Major Cities Worldwide?

Yes, online geomagnetic calculators and reference tables are available. Many Vastu consultants and architects use these resources, which provide city-specific declination values, example corrected bearings, and practical comments for accurate site planning worldwide.

Q10: Can I Rely Solely On Smartphone Compass Apps For Vastu Alignment?

While most smartphone compass apps point to Magnetic North, they may include magnetic declination correction if GPS is enabled. However, accuracy can vary due to calibration and interference. For critical projects, rely on GPS-based tools or professional surveying methods to determine True North for complete Vastu compliance.

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Keep your Northeast corner absolutely clutter-free and well-lit for maximum wealth attraction. This sacred Ishaan corner governs financial abundance, mental peace, and spiritual growth. Remove heavy furniture, storage, and avoid toilets here. Place a small water feature or healthy plant (very small) to enhance positive energy flow. Ensure maximum natural light enters this area daily. Keep this space impeccably clean and avoid sleeping with your head towards Northeast. Within 21-40 days, residents typically experience improved cash flow, better family harmony, and enhanced decision-making abilities. Remember: Northeast should always be lower than other property areas. Small corrections here bring remarkable life transformations. For More Daily Vastu Tips, here is the link : Daily Vastu Tips
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