Shri Satyanarayana Pooja is performed to appease Lord Vishnu or Narayana, the preserver of this whole creation. Satyanarayan Pooja is an effective and simple ritual for the current age to honour Lord Vishnu and to ask him to grant their specific requests. Shri Satyanarayan Bhagwan is considered to be a calm and benevolent avatar of Lord Vishnu. As per Skanda Purana, Lord Vishnu taught Satyanarayana Vrita rituals to Maharshi Narada when the latter asked Lord Vishnu how a human being can overcome his or her difficulties in the terrible age of Kali Yuga.
People who worship Lord Vishnu (the lord of truth) with utmost devotion and faith are being true to himself and others. Overcoming any difficulties caused by this life or previous life one has to be a true worshipper of truth. Worshippers must be truthful to himself and also to others. This pooja is very popular because of its easy and simple rituals which can be performed at any time of the day. The rituals of this pooja can be performed by anyone irrespective of their age, sex and marital status.
Satyanarayan Puja and Katha can be performed on any day. It is said in the Katha that Ekadashi, Full moon day, Sankranti are very auspicious days to perform. Also Kartheeka , Magha, Vaishakha Masam are more beneficial to do this pooja. People do this pooja to get success in any new venture, blessing for a happy and contended life and to uplift their spiritual level. Usually, this pooja is performed immediately after or on an auspicious occasion like a marriage or moving into a new house. It can also be performed on the occasions like anniversary, birthdays etc.
Benefits of doing Shri Satyanarayana Pooja
- When one observes fast on Satyanarayana Pooja, they may become clearer from the inside and delete all their past and present sins.
- may help devotees to overcome their problems.
- devotees may live a happier & more prosperous life and enrich their family’s overall prosperity.
- Family & friends are invited through the Shri Satyanarayan Pooja, which may create harmony between people.
- It may help a devotee to live a truthful life.
- May makes one understand the difference between what is good and what is evil.
- May leads devotees toward a more fulfilling spiritual life.
Before the Pooja
- Decide the date of the pooja by contacting your local priest.
- Clean the home and worship place.
- Clean the pooja utensils and statue of gods.
- Get all pooja samagri which is mentioned in the list by your Poojari.
- Create a mandap with the help of banana plants, mango leaves & place the wooden aasan with red/white cloth on top of it.
- Decorate the entry of the home by Toran and rangoli design to welcome ‘Lakshmi & Narayana’.
- Send the invites to your near and dear family, friends, relatives and encourage your guests to come in traditional dress.
- Decorate the alter of Shri Satyanarayana with utmost devotion and prepare Peetham for God.
On the Pooja day
- On the pooja day, all family members should wake up early, get hair bathed & wear fresh clothes. Get ready with your custom or traditional way. Encourage the same with your all family members too.
- Normally the pooja doer observe fast until the pooja gets complete.
- Make the seating arrangements for invited guests.
- Prepare ‘Shri Satyanarayana Prasad’ also called ‘Sapada’ and Panchamrith at home with clean utensils at home only. If possible, prepare some panakam, vada pappu for God.
- Keep the details of yours’ & family’s Gotra name, Nakshatra & Rashi, Kuldevata name etc ready. [during sankalpam your priest is going to ask these details]
- Keep all pooja samagri at one place so its easy to your priest to arrange the pooja quickly.
- Give attention to each & every part of the pooja.
Sankalp, Vigneshwara Pooja, Punyaha, Avahanam, Shodasha Upachar pooja, Abhishekam, Astottara shata namavali, Katha Shravana, Naivedyam, Arati, Prarthana, Prasad Bhakshan etc.
- Read/listen the storey [may be in your own language] to contemplate on meaning.
- Take & distribute the prasad to all devotees assembled.
- Doing ‘annadanam’ on this occasion is very nice gesture.
- Giving Tamboolam on this occasion is good.
After the pooja
Dismantling the pooja alter; please sprinkle the kalash water all over the home and drink little as Theertham. You can use the rice used for pooja in your kitchen. All the fruits can be used as Prasad. Leaves and flowers used can be disposed in your garden as compost.
How to make this special Satyanarayana Prasad/ Sapad?
Every household doing this Prasad is different. You should obey your own tradition in making prasad. Some useful link is given for your information in making prasad.