Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi: Katha, Samagri, Prasad and How to Perform It at Home
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How to perform Satyanarayan puja at home: the samagri list, step-by-step vidhi, the five-chapter katha, panchamrit and the sava prasad tradition, and when to do it.
Satyanarayan puja is the worship of Vishnu in his form as 'Satya', Truth. It is done on Purnima and at auspicious occasions such as griha pravesh, a wedding or a new beginning. The puja includes the Satyanarayan katha, which tradition links to the Skanda Purana and which comes in five chapters.
**Key Takeaways** - The puja is for Vishnu's Satyanarayan form, and Purnima is regarded as especially suited to it - It includes Ganesha puja, kalash sthapana, the five chapters of the katha, aarti and distribution of prasad - The puja is considered incomplete without tulsi leaves - The prasad is traditionally sava (a measure of one and a quarter) of semolina halwa (sheera) with banana
When to Perform Satyanarayan Puja
The puja can be done on any auspicious day, but Purnima is regarded as special. Many families also hold it at griha pravesh, a wedding, a birthday, the start of a business or on a wish being fulfilled. You can check the date of Purnima on the panchang page.
Puja Samagri
- A chowki and a yellow or red cloth
- An image of Lord Satyanarayan or Vishnu
- A kalash, mango leaves, a coconut and water
- Tulsi leaves (considered essential to the puja)
- Flowers, a garland, roli, rice, sandalwood, incense and a lamp
- Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
- Fruit, betel leaf and supari, and banana leaves or stems for decoration
- For the prasad, semolina, ghee, sugar, milk and banana
Read about panchamrit in What Is Panchamrit. The significance of tulsi is in Tulsi in Hindu Worship.
Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi
- 1.Bathe, clean the puja space, spread a cloth on the chowki and install the deity.
- 2.Hold water in your hand and take the sankalp.
- 3.Worship Ganesha first.
- 4.Establish the kalash and remember the navagraha and other deities.
- 5.Bathe Lord Satyanarayan with panchamrit and offer clothes, flowers, tulsi and sandalwood.
- 6.Read or listen to the five chapters of the Satyanarayan katha.
- 7.Perform the Vishnu aarti and chant Om Namo Narayanaya.
- 8.Offer the prasad as bhog and share it with everyone.
Satyanarayan Prasad
By tradition the prasad is made in sava measure, that is one and a quarter kilo or one and a quarter paav, such as semolina halwa (sheera) made with ghee, sugar, milk and banana. After the puja it is shared with family, neighbours and friends.
The Puja Space
What kind of space suits a home puja is covered in How to Set Up a Home Puja Room. The steps of everyday worship are in Daily Puja Vidhi.
Keep in Mind
- Having the puja done under a priest's guidance is the tradition, though a family member can also read the katha with devotion.
- Fix the time according to your family's convenience and the panchang.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should Satyanarayan puja be done?
On any auspicious day, though Purnima is regarded as special. It is also done at occasions such as griha pravesh, a wedding or when a wish is fulfilled.
How many chapters does the Satyanarayan katha have?
The Satyanarayan katha is in five chapters, which tradition links to the Skanda Purana.
What samagri is needed for Satyanarayan puja?
A chowki, cloth, an image of the deity, a kalash, tulsi leaves, flowers, roli-rice, panchamrit, fruit and, for the prasad, semolina, ghee, sugar, milk and banana.
What is the Satyanarayan prasad?
Traditionally semolina halwa (sheera) in sava measure, made with ghee, sugar, milk and banana.