“Satya” means truth and “Narayana” is Sriman Narayana. This puja is performed during the full moon days, and is called Satyanarayana vratha, which means fasting.  Also, this puja is performed before any auspicious occasions, such as marriage, thread ceremony, birth of a child etc. for the events to be successfully. In some communities, this puja is performed after the auspicious occasion, thanking the Lord for the successful completion of such occasion.

Once the Lord Satyanarayana puja is complete, stories from the Skanda puranas are narrated. These stories teach social lessons and power of faith. It is mandatory to listen to these stories and take the “prasad” in order to gain the full blessings of Lord Satyanarayana.

According to purana, the puja for Lord Satyanarayana started with Maharishi Sootha, narrating the story to a group of rishis performing a yajna, when asked “Oh, Maharishi, please tell us how mankind can attain salvation?”. Maharishi Sootha answered: “Once Narad Muni asked Lord Vishnu the same question. I will tell you what Lord Vishnu told Narad Muni”.

How to celebrate

Items required for puja

The following items should be purchased prior to the puja day.

One the day of the puja; clean the stoop and draw Rangoli, if possible, tie a string of mango leaves by the front door. Take a bath, wear clean clothes and follow the steps of the puja:

• Picture or Idol of Lord Satyanarayana in the Pooja room
• A dupatta or sari to offer to the deity
• Plain water in Kalash (pitcher)
• Fresh and washed mango leaves
• Fresh grass
• Sandalwood
• One coconut
• Kumkum
• Turmeric
• Red sacred thread
• Rice
• Betel leaves and betel nuts
• Flowers

Puja at home requires idols (murtis) and prayers (mantras). Usually the idol(s) or pictures are kept in a quiet place called a puja room. Puja in Sanskrit means “honor” or “worship”. We welcome God or Goddess the same way as we welcome our guests. If time is of the essence, the following steps can be taken for the puja:

• Sit on a small carpet or low stool (raised wood plank) facing North or East.
• Create an altar for Lord Satyanarayana.
• Clean the place and Lord Satyanarayana idol by sprinkling few drops of water. Use a separate cloth to wipe the deity and later, apply Haldi (turmeric) & Kumkum to the deity.
• Light the lamps and place in front of the altar.
  • Keep betel leaves, nuts, flowers and fruits in a plate in front of altar.
• After lighting the lamps, begin with Ganesh or Vishwaksena puja, followed by Navagraha puja.
• Then, start chanting sholkas as per your family traditions.
• Read Satyanarayana katha, five of them.
• After worshiping with katha, you decorate Lord Satayanarana with flowers and offer Naivedyam.
• Light aarti diya and perform aarti.
• Finally, conclude with Pradakshina (circumambulation, which means going in a clockwise direction) namaskar at the end of puja.
• Give everyone present, prasad which you offered as Naivedyam. 

Suggested Chant

• Lord Ganesha Sloka
• Navagraha Mantra
• 108 names of Lord Satyanarayana
• Read the five stories

Activities for the kids

• String mango leaves
• Draw rangoli in front of the house