Satyanarayan Puja

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 colored powders. A new white cloth is spread on the Altar and layered with raw rice.

 

A Kalash (small pot made of Silver, Copper, Brass, or even earthen) is placed in the middle of Altar. It may be filled half with water. A coconut is placed on top and wrapped with a cloth. Mango or betel leaves are placed between the coconut and the pot. This too is decorated with Chandan (Sandal paste) and kumkum.


 

• 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 photoframed picture of Lord Satyanarayana
• A small idol (or coin) of Lord Satyanarayana
• Akshat (rice grains mixed with turmeric powder).
• Raw rice (about 1 kg)
• 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 white cloth (to cover the Altar)
• A piece of 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)

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.