The Satyanarayan Puja is a religious worship of the Hindu god Vishnu.

Satya means
�truth� and narayana means, �The highest being� so Satyanarayan means �The highest
being who is an embodiment of Truth�.[1][2] Vrat or Puja means a religious vow,
religious observance, or obligation. Hindus throughout [3] perform Sri Satyanarayan
Vrat for the divine blessings of health, wealth, prosperity, opulence, education;
relief from troubles and sickness. It can also be performed because of success in
business or career growth; during social functions like marriages, house-warming
ceremonies, naming of the children and so on.

Contents
1 Legend
2 Preparation
2.1 Prasad
3 Items needed for puja
4 Procedure
4.1 Regional and Traditional Variations
5 Sri Satyanarayana Swami Katha
6 Concluding the Puja: Arati & Stuti
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links
Legend
This puja is first mentioned in Skanda Purana, Reva Kanda by Suta Puranik to the
rishis in Naimisharanya. The details are part of the Katha (Story) that is usually
read during the ritual[4]

A painting of Narayana (Vi??u) seated on lotus

Sri Satya Narayana puja is a very popular ritual in most parts of India including
Maharashtra, Assam, Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Manipur.
[citation needed].

The ritual is usually performed on the Full moon day of every month, Ekadashi (11th
day after full moon or new moon), Kartika Pur?ima, Vaisakha Pur?ima, solar eclipse
day or on Sa?kranti except during A?a?ha Chandra Masa[5]. It is also performed on
special occasions and during times of achievements, as an offering of gratitude to
the Lord. These occasions could include marriage, graduation, start of a new job,
purchase of a new home, to name a few. In addition, the performance of this most
auspicious puja generally confers a child to couples trying to start a family[6].

The Satyanarayan puja can be performed on any day for any reason. It is not a puja
confined to any festivities, but Purnima (full moon day) is considered specifically
auspicious for this puja. Performing this puja in the evening is considered more
appropriate. However, one can perform this puja in the morning as well[citation
needed].

This puja is very simple, can be performed by anyone, and it does not require a
priest to perform it. The original concept was instructions given by rishi Narada
Muni while on tour of earth he noticed tremendous amounts of sufferings all around
due to malnutrition. He went to lord Vishnu and described the situation and was
told with instructions to perform Pooja and the other stories to be narrated. One
of the key instruction was to invite as many friends, relatives and neighbors to
attend the ceremony and to feed them and to offer as many types of fruits as
possible and the sufferings will be eliminated, and this was due to being well fed
and consumption of fruits.[citation needed]

Preparation
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The previous night, think of Lord Sri Satyanarayana and mentally decide to perform
puja the next day. Invite your relatives and friends. Tradition mandates to abstain
from worldly pleasures.

On the puja day, early in the morning keeping the same thoughts of worshiping the
Lord, take a head bath. If performing the evening, again take a head-bath. This
should be done by both husband and wife. Wear a clean dress.

Observe Fast (if possible).

Keep all the things for puja ready, near the altar. The total duration of the puja
- start to finish � will be around 3 hours.

Decorate the front door with mango leaves. The place near the altar is cleaned
(with cow dung, where possible).

The Altar is placed in an East-West direction such that the devotees performing the
puja will be seated facing east. It is decorated with floral designs, usually using
rice flour and other coloured powders. A new white cloth is spread on the Altar and
layered with raw rice.

Peeta
A Kalash (small pot made of Silver, Copper, Brass, or even earthen) is placed in
the middle of Altar. That small pot should add one betel nut, one rupee coin, some
jwar or wheat and then filled it with holy water like gangajal, if not available
you can use clean water .A coconut is placed on top and wrapped with a cloth.5
Mango or ashok leaves are placed between the coconut and the pot. After this a red
thread (kalava or moli) is tied 3 round in neck of pot . Make a symbol of swastik
in pot, it is a good and positive symbol .This too is decorated with Chandan
(Sandal paste) and kumkum.This process is called kalash sthapna .

A framed picture of Lord Satyanarayana is placed on the far side of the Altar.
Flowers and garlands can be placed on this frame.

Place all the puja items near the Altar.

The devotees performing the puja will be seated facing the Altar.