DIY Pooja Mandiram / Vratham Peeta
What you need?
1. Drilling Machine
2. Screws
3. For the Mandiram Pillars: 2912 2-1/4 in. x 2-1/4 in. x 15-1/4 in. Pine Round Furniture Leg (4)
https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-2912-2-1.../314254012
4. For the Mandiram Legs: 6 in. Traditional Table Leg (4)
https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-6-in.../100542904
5. For the Mandiram Gopuram: Bun Foot 4 in. x 4 in. x 4 in. Natural Unfinished Basswood (1)
https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-Bun-Foot.../313397665
6. For the Mandiram 4 corners: 3-3/4 in. Early American Table Leg (4)
https://www.homedepot.com/.../Waddell-3-3-4-in.../100389452
7. For the Mandiram Base and Top: MDF 2 X 4 Feet Board- Cut to 18X18 squares (2)
https://www.homedepot.com/.../Medium-Density.../202089069
8. For the top and bottom edges design: 3/8 in. x 1/2 in. x 4 ft. Basswood Panel Moulding (3)
https://www.homedepot.com/.../House-of-Fara-3-8.../202087486
9. Premium Gel Stain (1)
https://www.homedepot.com/.../Varathane-1-qt.../305584080
10. Brass Bells with Hooks (12)
https://www.amazon.com/diollo-Jingle-Chimes-Hanging-Decoration/dp/B081KQ9GMX/ref=sr_1_4_mod_primary_new?dchild=1&keywords=brass%2Bbells%2Bindian&qid=1631413265&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-4&th=1
Process:
Step 1. Fix the legs to the bottom of the 18X18 MDF Square board, using a drilling machine make holes and fix the legs of the mandiram.
Step 2: Now fix the pillars to the top of the 18X18 MDF Square board, now add the other 18X18 square board to the top side of the pillars to complete the base of the mandiram.
Step 3: To the top of the 18X18 square board, to get the top frame of the mandiram measure the dimensions for smaller squares to achieve the 2-3 step look, I have used 12X12, 8X8 squares to get this look. Now add a Bun Foot Leg to get the Gopuram look and add the smaller american table legs to the four corners of the 12X12 Square as shown in the images
Step 4: The finishing of the mandiram will be adding the molding to the edges to create a traditional look, this is fixed using nails. This has to be done carefully so you don't break the molding.
Step 5: Staining the Mandiram with your favorite color, I have used Premium Gel Stain in Mahogany to give a matte rose wood look.
Step 6: Adding bells on the four sides of the mandiram is the last step, the bells come with screw hooks, which can be fixed after the gel stain is completely dry.
It took us less than couple of hours to complete this whole project, we wanted to create this to use it as a vratham peeta for Sri Satyanarayana Pooja, by adding a wood board to the back of the mandiram this can also be repurposed as a regular pooja mandiram.
