Satyanarayana Pooja

Satyanarayana Puja is popular puja in Hindu households through out India. It involves worshipping Satyanarayana who is an extremely benevolent form of Lord Vishnu. In fact Satyanarayana Puja is performed before all major occasions especially Griha Parvesh or house warming ceremony and marriages. The Satyanarayana Puja is especially beneficial if it is done on Poornima or the full moon day. In addition it can also be performed on any other day of the month too.

I have attended many Satyanarayana pujas. I especially like the special prasad which is prepared on the occasion of the puja.It is called Shinni in Bengali and Sapaad in Malayalam. But how do you prepare Shinni?

Dear Sushma
Shinni is prepared using milk, banana, sugar and suji or rava. By tradition the measure is 1¼ kilo each of milk, sugar and suji or rava. You need to add 21 bananas. This will serve about 30-40 people. For larger preparations you need to simply multiply the measure. You can add coconut pieces, kaju or nuts for added taste.

As per the Satyanarayana Vrata-katha the shinni or sapaad should not be spilled on the ground else misfortune may befall the householder. Another important facet of the puja is listening to the Satyanarayana vrata katha.

Yes, listening to Vrata katha is important.All those who have fasted for the puja and offered pushpanjali as well as others present in the assembly must hear the story of the puja.
The Katha relates the origin of the puja, the benefits of the puja and even the consequences of possible mishaps in the conduct of the puja like the spilling of the shinni. As a child, I recall the pandit relating the vrata katha in a sing song voice. The pandit used to conclude the recital by saying “satyanarayana priti- hari bol, hari bol”.

Very informative. Thanks

Sathnarayana Pooja (Kathaa and Jhunda in South Africa)

Here too Sathnarayana Vrath Katha is performed in many Hindu homes, in the new home, before marriage, as the prayer for the household. We hear of Kalaawathee whose father did not keep his vow of doing the puja. After each chapter the pundit will blow the conch (big shell). Often all the household prayers are done during this time like Ganesha pooja, Bandi paat etc.
An added feature is the Hanuman Jhunda (flag) that is hoisted in the morning before doing the Sathnarayana Vrat Khatha (hence Katha and Jhunda prayer). This red flag is hoisted on a bamboo pole (now some people use metal).
The parsad is rort, halva, pinjri (flour with pepper), chopped dates, almonds, sugar candy, other sweetmeats

Since many of the hindi speaking people came from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar area - it will be interesting to hear how this compares to what you currently do. Please write in.

Sathnarayan Bhagwan ki jai!!
Regards Neesha

CAn you please guide me as to what is to be done for doing this pooja at home...

Thanks.

Regards,

Menka

On Rakhi purnima day, we organized a Satyanarayan Puja at home. This is an account of how Bengalis celebrate this Puja.

We contacted the Purohit or Panditji. He gave us a list of things to be obtained. These are Dasakarma items which can be easily obtained at a store of Puja items. You can also get a picture of Lord Satyanarayan there.

During the puja, the Panditji recites the Satyanarayan katha, offers arati to the Lord and the fasting devotees offer pushpanjali. Afterwards, Prasad and Shinni is offered to the devotees. You must take care that not a drop of Shinni is split on the ground.

Jai Satya Narayan ji!

Sorry! Network problem.