Satyanarayan Puja 2023: Dates, Procedure, Materials Required, Significance and Cost

Sathyanarayan puja is about showing gratitude to Lord Vishnu for blessing one with all good fortunes in life including an excellent career, well-settled family life, and other achievements. So at all occasions of success including those in business, at marriage functions, during the Namakaran ceremony, this puja is performed to glorify and dedicate the part played god in one’s achievements.

Lord Satyanarayana is a form of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped by his devotees during the full moon days. Satyanarayana Vratha is a famous vratham(fasting) that will be observed by the devotees during the performance of Satyanarayana pooja. Though it is not compulsory to observe fasting, but observing fasting and worshipping the Lord with sincere dedication in our mind with fetch us the glory of the god and can attain peacefulness and prosperity in our life.

Lord Satyanarayana temple at Annavaram is a very famous temple dedicated to Lord Satyanarayana Swamy. A lot of devotees will visit this temple during Chitra Pournami, Karthika Pournami, and Vaishaka Pournami, and have the darshan of their favorite god Lord Satyanarayana. In this temple, free food is offered to hundreds of people on a daily basis. The lodging facility is also available at the temple at a nominal charge. Apart from the service by the temple management, a lot of hotels and private lodges are available for the devotees at Annavaram for taking shelter and having food.

Shree Satyanarayan Katha

The Shree Satyanarayan Katha recited during the pooja is a collection of many short stories which portray the significance and benefits of observing the vratham. Reva Kanda of Skanda Purana describes the Katha. The story was first narrated by Suta Maharshi in Neimishaaranya to the Rishis, who were performing a 1,000-year yagna for the benefit of humankind lead by Shounakji.

Story 1 :

Once, when Narada Maharshi reached Bhoolokam (Earth) while travelling across the worlds, he saw immense suffering. Unable to bear it, he went to Vaikunta – the abode of Lord Sri Satyanarayana Swami (the benevolent form of Lord Vishnu), to request him to ease the sufferings of humankind. He asked the all-knowing lotus-eyed Lord, adorned in pitambara, for an elixir to remove the world’s miseries. In his response, the Lord said, “Anyone who performs Shri Satyanarayan Vratham and Puja with devotion they will attain all the pleasures on earth and will achieve their goal. I will give them wealth, wisdom, bless the childless with children, and my devotees will achieve victory with increased devotion. All one requires is ripe bananas, ghee, milk, and wheat flour, and sugar to prepare the Prasad, flowers, and immense devotion. After the prayers, everyone taking part in the puja must listen to the Satyanarayan Katha, have the prasadam, food, and then chant mantras of Shri Satyanarayana Swami. By doing this, I will fulfill their wishes. So, spread the word Narada, let people worship me in the name of Lord Satyanarayana and be done with their miseries.” Thus concludes chapter one of the story.

Story 2:

On knowing about the pooja, Narada Muni wanted to know more, and he asked Lord Vishnu to tell him when and where the vratham was performed for the first time. Lord Vishnu narrated the same.

In a place named Sunder Kashipur lived a Brahim who would go out for alms to carry on his daily living. His misery moved the Lord, and the Lord disguised himself as an old brahmin to speak to him.

During the conversation, the Brahmin asked the Lord – “I am really not sure what to do to overcome my misery. Oh wise one, can you suggest me a way out?“. The Lord in the disguise of Brahman said- “I am surprised you already not know the solution. Why don’t you perform Shri Satyanarayana vratham? They say Lord Satyanarayana grants all the wishes if you pray with devotion and observe the fast. It is the best way to come out of misery and attain moksha“. He then explained all the required items for puja and how to perform the same. The Brahmin returned home after the conversation with strong intentions of fulfilling the puja at the earliest. With the money collected, he bought all the items and performed Shri Sathyanarayana puja, and recited the Satyanarayan Katha at home to his family with devotion and dedication. Soon he overcame his miseries and became a wealthy Brahmin, earning his living with honesty and integrity.

He started helping people around him who were in need and was in constant awe of the Lord, who helped him out of his misery. So, he began performing Sathyanarayana puja every month on Poornima. On one such occasion, a woodcutter was passing by the Brahmins place came to seek shelter and water for some time. The Brahmin’s wife tended to the woodcutter’s thirst. While he rested, his attention was drawn to the puja, the Brahmin was performing, and it filled him with a sudden wave of immense devotion, so he stayed back till the completion of pooja.

After having prasad, he spoke to the priest and got to know the details of performing the puja from him. With a firm intention of doing the puja, he went out to sell his wood. To his surprise, he made more money that day. He was even more convinced of the power the puja held, so he got the required puja materials and performed the vratham the very next day. Over time, even the woodcutter attained great wealth and attained moksha.

Thus ends the second story which conveys that Lord will relieve the person performing the puja from all sorrows.

Story 3 :

The story spans over two chapters and describes the benefits of doing the Satyanarayana vratham and what happens if one is not truthful to their words.
There was once a wealthy merchant who had a devoted wife named Lilavati. They were childless for long. Once during his trip, he saw a king named Ulkamuk performing the Satyanarayana vratham. Drawn by simplicity, the merchant inquired the puja’s details and relayed the same to his wife. The couple decided to observe the vratham if they were to be blessed with a baby. The generous Lord bestowed them with a beautiful girl, and they named her Kalavati.

Lilavati reminded her husband of the vow to perform vratham, but he postponed it and said he will do it during his daughter’s marriage. Soon, Kalavathi grew into a beautiful maiden, and the merchant searched for a suitable groom for her. On finding the perfect groom for her daughter and one who could take care of his business, he soon got his daughter married. Despite his wife reminding him, the merchant again ignored her reminder to perform the puja.

Now the Lord decided to teach him a lesson for going back on his word. Soon, the merchant set out for business with his new son-in-law to the city of Ratanpur, ruled by King Chandraketu. Both of them stayed there at a mansion built for travelers.

One night a band of thieves stole from the king’s treasury. Sensing the guards chasing them and not wanting to get caught, they hid the treasure among the merchant’s merchandise and escaped from there. The guards who came looking for the thieves found the artefacts wealth, arrested the merchant and his son-in-law, and produced them before the king. The king was furious and ordered both of them to be made prisoners without listening to their story.

Meanwhile, back at his village, the merchant’s home was also robbed, and Lilavati and Kalavati had to resort to performing small odd-end jobs to carry on their livelihood.
On a fine day, in her search for food, Kalavati reached a Brahmins place that was performing Satyanarayana Puja with devotion and dedication. Like her father, she was drawn to the puja. She stayed there, listened to the stories, took prasad, and came home late. Her mother, who was worried about her being late, asked her the reason. Kalavati told her about attending Satyanarayana puja at a Brahmin’s place.

Lilavati then realised it was the Lord showing that the puja is overdue and they must perform it immediately. Both of them decided to complete the puja without delay and collected the materials required for the pooja. As soon they started performing puja for the safe return of their spouses and wealth, Lord was pleased and appeared in the dreams of king Chandraketu and asked him to release the merchant and his son-in-law. The king then released both of them and returned their wealth, honour, and gifted a boat for them to get back home.

As they traveled back home to their families, the Lord decided to test the merchant again to see if he had learnt his lesson. So, the Lord disguised himself as a brahmin and stuck a conversation with the merchant. While conversing, he asked if he would part a part of wealth as he was poor and trying to make ends meet. He asked – “what are you carrying? Can you spare a part with me?”. The egoistic merchant, replied haughtily that his bags are filled with dry leaves though it was filled with jewels given by the kind king. The all-knowing Lord Satyanarayana smiled at his ignorance and replied – “Let it be so.”

The boat immediately started feeling light. The sudden turn of the event surprised the merchant. He was surprised to find the sacks filled with dry leaves instead of jewels and precious cargo when he checked. Seeing his despair, his wise son-in-law said, “It is the result of you being dishonest with a brahmin. You should apologize with him, and he may return your wealth.” Heading to his advice, the merchant fell at the Brahmins feet and asked for forgiveness, and vowed never to be dishonest again. Pleased with the change in the merchant’s behavior, the Lord smiled and returned his wealth.

At his native, after completing one vratham, Lilavati wanted to perform vratham again, seeking the safe return of her family. Before she and her daughter could conclude the puja, they heard the joyous news of their spouses returning home. In a hurry, her daughter finished the aarti and left to meet her husband eagerly without consuming the prasad, despite everyone advising her to consume prasad and leave. When she reached the port, it surprised everyone to find the boat and her husband missing. Kalavati fainted in despair. Then everyone advised her to go back and apologize to Lord consume the prasad and come back for her husband. She then went back and had the prasad all the while apologizing for her foolish behavior. Pleased with her devotion, the Lord returned the family’s wealth and her husband to her.
Thus concludes the 3rd story.

Story 4:

The fourth and final story is of King Angadwaja.

The king was resting under a tree as he had just returned from his hunting expedition. In his vicinity were a group of cowherd boys who were playing a game of performing Satyanarayana puja. After finishing their pooja and remembering their elders’ words that prasad should be shared with everyone present, they gave a portion of the prasad to the king. The king, filled with his ego, looked down upon the children and left without having the prasad. Soon he started losing his wealth and fell into misery and sorrow. When he sought his council’s advice, they recalled the incident and asked him to mend his ways.

Realising his foolery, he went back to the children and asked if they could perform the puja again. They gladly agreed and completed the puja with the king. Angadwaja consumed the prasad. After seeing the children’s devotion, he vowed to regularly perform the puja and never look down upon anybody’s faith. Over time, he regained his wealth and respect, and in due time attained moksha.

                                      Satyanarayan Puja Dates, Timing 2023

Satyanarayan Puja Dates, Timing 2022

Satyanarayan Puja Dates 2021

Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi / Procedure

The Satyanarayana Puja is a kind of worship to Lord Satya Narayana. The importance of doing this puja is also mentioned in Skanda Purana and in several other sacred texts. Sri Satya Narayana puja is a famous ritual that is observed in most parts of India.

This puja is very simple and can be performed by anyone. We have to place a picture of Lord Satyanarayana and offer him with fruits and flowers, and we can do it in the temples and well as in our homes. We can invite our friends, relatives, and neighbors to attend the puja. After performing the puja, we can distribute the cooked food and the fruits to the participants of the puja. The Satyanarayana puja can be performed on any day, but performing the puja during full moon days, will give better results in our life. Another requirement of the puja is that the story is heard among all those observing and participating in the puja. The main puja starts with the worship of Lord Satyanarayana. The puja concludes with an Aarti, which consists of lighting camphor to the god.

The unique part comes in the second part when offerings are made to Pancha Lokapalaka, Navagrahas along with their companion and co-companions, and the eight Dikpalakas. The reach of offerings to such a range of deities is something only Sathyanarayan puja holds. This aspect makes it ideal for devotees as it is all-in-one-shot offerings to many important manifestations.

The final part or concluding part is enriched with invoking Sathyanarayan or Lord Vishnu and presenting him with offerings with utmost gratitude and devotion.

The Puja Vidhi in Simple Terms

• Take a bath to clean and purify the body, mind, and soul
• Prepare a Mandala and keep the image of the deity/idol of Lord Ganesha and Lord Satyanarayan ready
• Perform the Ganesh Mantra Jaap and puja
• Perform the Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi along with aarti and mantra Jaap
• Recite all 271 verses of the famous Satyanarayan Katha
• Perform the Homam (fire ritual)

Significance  of Satyanarayan Puja

The act of giving and taking is humane by nature. At the occasion of Sathyanarayan puja, devotees offer their gratitude for their success in lives for acquiring better achievements in the future.

Not just Lord Vishnu is satisfied, in the process of puja, many other relevant manifestations are equally satisfied. This makes Sathyanarayan puja highly recommended among devotees

It is a pleasant puja that is meant to perform at times of achievements including success in business, marriage, Namkaaran ceremony and so. This is an added advantage as the benefit of performance will be more if a group is around to take part and partake prasadam.

By performing Sri Satyanarayan puja, we can get the divine blessings and can relieve from sickness and obtain great strength in our mind and body. Good career prospects and wealth will accumulate in our life. It is also believed that those who perform Satyanarayana puja in their life continuously will never take rebirth and after their death, divine messengers from Vaikuntha will carry them to the abode of Lord Vishnu, the Vaikunda.

Hence let us worship the Lord Satyanarayana and perform the puja and be blessed.

The popularity of Satyanarayan Puja

There are several reasons for the mass popularity of Satyanarayan puja. First of all, it is one of the simplest and easiest rituals performed by Hindus. Secondly, anyone can perform this puja regardless of age or sex. Even widows can perform the Satyanarayan Vrata. Therefore, it proves that when God is concerned, barriers no longer exist. Only faith, sincerity and devotion counts while performing this ritual. Once again, this puja can be performed any time and on any day, though some days are considered to be more auspicious, such as Purnima and Ekadashi.

Check the Ekadashi Calendar List 

Spiritual Significance of Satyarayan Puja

Satya means Truth. Narayan means the one that abides in everything and everybody. Therefore, this puja, or the worship of Satyanarayan, a form of the Lord Vishnu, suggests that to overcome problems and difficulties in life caused either due to deeds of previous birth or similar factors can be overcome by worshipping the lord of Truth. Devoting time to the Truth and worshipping is a way of being truthful to oneself and being truthful to others. The more honest and truthful we come, the better we can worship Lord Narayan in ourselves as well as others.

Bringing Friends and Families Together

The purpose of Satynarayan Puja is also to bring friends and family together and encourage unity and harmony. It is a common belief amongst Hindus that we should focus on universal happiness and unity. Thus, a celebration like this can make the world one fine place to gather together and offer prayers and rituals.

Occasions for performing the Satyanarayan Puja

Full moon days of every month known as Ekadashi, Karthika Purnima, Vaishaka Purnima, solar eclipse day or Makara Sankranthi day except on the month of Asada Candra masa.

It can also be performed on occasions like marriage, graduation, the start of a new job, to name a few.

Puja Samagri / Material required for Satyanarayan Puja

The following is a list of items needed for the puja. You can also buy these puja items online at our online store

• Haldi (Turmeric powder)
• Kumkum ( Red vermillion or Sindoor )
• Navadhanya ( a mixture of nine herbs offered to Navagraha ( nine planets ) )
• Incense sticks
• Camphor
• Sandal paste
• A photo framed picture of Lord Satyanarayana
• A small idol (or coin) of Lord Satyanarayana (optional)
• wheat or jowar (not rice)
• Betel leaves (100)
• Betel nuts (50)
• Coins (40)
• Dry Dates/ Almonds (50)
• Coconuts (8)
• Flowers and floral garlands
• Two jars (Silver, Copper, Brass, or even earthen) – one for Kalash and another for the ritual
• Two flat plates
• A bell
• A large pidha table (for use as Altar)
• A large yellow cloth (to cover the Altar)pit is the favorite color or Satyanarayana wears pitambar or yellow clothes
• A piece of yellow or red cloth (for the Kalash)
• A ghee lamp (with at least three wicks)
• An oil lamp
• Cotton wicks
• Panchamrita (Uncooked mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, sugar, and ghee)

Good to have

• Conch shell
• One thousand Tulasi (Indian Basil) leaves, Tulasi Manjari (flower of Tulasi)
• Banana tree/leaves as a canopy. White Tila or white sesame seeds are favorite of Lord Satnarayan. Rose is his preferred flower.

What is the cost of Satyanarayan Puja?

When it comes to affordability, Satyanarayan puja is common man’s favorite. The range differs as per customization, this enables customers to perform it in grand as well as in a medium manner.

Attractive packages including puja materials along with purohit are available with Puja N Pujari. Book pandit online to perform Satyanarayan Puja at Puja N Pujari.

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