Satyanarayan Katha : Significance & Material

Satyanarayan Katha is the most commonly performed ritual in a Hindu household.

Satya means “truth” and Narayana means “The highest being” so Satyanarayan means “The highest being who is an embodiment of Truth”.

The Satya Narayana Vratam and Puja are very popular all over India. This puja is first mentioned in Skanda Purana, Reva Kanda by Suta Puranik to the rishis in Naimisharanya. This puja is usually performed on the Purnima day of every month. It is also performed on special occasions and during times of achievement as an offering of gratitude to the Lord. These occasions could include marriage graduation, the start of a new job, and the 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.

This auspicious Vrata is believed to grant the wishes of the devotee who performs the Vrata and listens to the Satyanarayana Vrata story or Katha with sincere devotion. The Vrata worships Lord Vishnu in the form of the Satya or absolute truth. The Satyanarayan puja can be performed on any day except on New-Moon. 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.

PUJA SAMAGRI NEEDED FOR SATYANARAYAN KATHA

• A Picture of Satyanarayana lord

• Ganesh idol

• Turmeric, kumkum powder

• Akshta (raw rice smeared with turmeric powder)

• Puja mandapa -1 if you have or it available only but not compulsory

• Oil lamp stands -1 or 2 if you have but not compulsory

• A small lamp – for aarti

• Camphor

• Incense Stick

• Kalsa/ Kalash

• 2 Cups of water

• Flowers – two bunches cut with small stem and keep in a plate

• Fruits- wash and put in a plate

• Sandal-wood

• Pooja Cloth

• Panchamrtam (a cup of milk, ghee, honey, sugar, and yogurt)

• Beatle leaves and beatle nuts

• Coconuts- 1 for kalasa and 5 for kathas or any fruits

• Navadhanyas – (wheat, rice, red gram, green gram, black gram, bangalgram, black eyes peas, sesame seeds, horse gram) each one put in a paper bowl separately

• Money coins

• Naivedya or prasad (Kesari type of sweet)

• Mango leaves – for kalasa/kalash, (if available)

• Oil for lamp, cotton wicks- for holy lamp

• Matchbox –1

• Paper bowls – 15 for keep navagraha grains and other things if you have

• Scissor – 1

• Bell–1 and Conch shell(shankh)