DIY Guide: Making of a Mandir

Creating handmade spaces in your home is a rewarding experience, and building your own Mandir adds a personal touch that makes it even more special. In this blog, I have documented the process we (me and my wife) took in creating a Mandir using simple, readily available materials. This guide will help you transform a basic bookshelf into a beautifully customized Mandir that fits perfectly in your home.

Note: Thanks to ChatGPT for converting my notes into a blog.

Materials Needed:

Book Shelf: Mainstays 3-Shelf Bookcase
Floating Shelf: Mainstays 3pc Floating Decorative Shelves
Oak Finial: Large Craft Oak Finial
Matt Black Spray: Krylon Fusion Matte Black Spray Paint
Peel and Stick Chart Paper: Chart Paper
Brass Pooja Bells: Hanging Bells

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Assemble the Book Shelf:
Begin by assembling the Mainstays 3-Shelf Bookcase according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To create a dedicated space for your Pooja photos and idols, designate the top rack for these items, leaving more room for the top rack and the bottom two racks for smaller items like incense holders, diya, or books.

Mainstay Book Shelf
Decorate the Inner Back of the Shelf:
Using Peel and Stick Chart Paper, you can customize the inner back of your bookshelf with designs that resonate with your liking. Whether you choose traditional motifs, sacred symbols, or a hand-drawn design, this will add a personal touch to your Mandir. Cover all inner sides if you wish, and ensure the design complements your overall theme.
Create the Mandir Top:
The Mainstays Floating Shelves set comes in three different sizes, giving you some creative options for the top of your Mandir:
- Option A: Stack the shelves from large (bottom) to small (top) to create a tiered structure, adding depth and dimension to your Mandir.
- Option B: Use only the larger shelf to create a single-layer top, which offers a more minimalist and clean look.
Once you’ve decided on your preferred option, use Gorilla Grip or any strong adhesive to securely attach the shelf to the top of your bookcase.
Paint and Attach the Oak Finials:
To maintain a cohesive look, spray paint the Large Craft Oak Finials with Matte Black Spray Paint. I chose five finials to accentuate my Mandir’s design: three on the top shelf and two on the corners. Depending on your preference, you can add a finial to each corner for a more symmetrical look.
Other options for finials:
I have also found some good options in Lowe’s, so I have attached those images. I went with what I felt fits my liking, but you can also browse for more designs.

Bells and Outer Decorations:
Finally, for a touch of traditional charm, pin the Brass Pooja Bells to the front of the Mandir. While we opted for bells, you can also consider adding a flower garland for different occasions, which you can easily find on Amazon.

Final Thoughts:

By following these steps, you should now have a beautiful, custom-made Mandir that perfectly suits your space and style. You could build more customization on top of it like,