What are the recommended shapes for sites or plots of land?
The best shape is square, rectangular or circular. A triangular site or one with an odd number of sides should be strictly avoided, though this can be amended by adding a small additional side. Pandits today recommend a four sided site, tapering to the north-east. A site is considered propitious, which drains water from the south-west to the north-east. However, since most urban housing sites are rectangular, obstructions can be amended, the site selection today doesn’t usually involve a pandit. Various other tests mentioned in the Grihasutra for determining soil quality are rarely, if ever performed today. Since building materials come from areas far away from the site, poor soil can be easily compensated.
