Kept by families across India
Satyanarayan katha
The family puja and story of Satyanarayan, often held on a full moon or for a happy occasion: the setting, the puja, the five chapters of the katha, the aarti and the prasad.
WHEN
Any day, especially in the evening; many families choose a Purnima (full moon) or a happy occasion
The katha itself says the vrat may be kept on any day, especially in the evening, with family and friends. Many families keep it on the full moon, after a wedding, on moving into a new home or to give thanks.
Coming dates
- 24 November · TueKartik Purnima
- 23 December · WedMargashirsha Purnima
- 22 January · FriPausha Purnima
- 20 February · SatMagha Purnima
- 22 March · MonPhalguna Purnima
Dates for India (Drik Panchang, Gurugram). All festival dates →
How long
About an hour and a half: the puja, the five chapters, the aarti and the prasad.
AT A GLANCE
What you need
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What to gather
The puja place
Prasad
HOW IT IS ARRANGED
The puja place, labelled
123456789- Chowki with red cloth लाल कपड़े से ढकी चौकी
- Satyanarayan सत्यनारायण
- Kalash कलश
- Panchamrit पंचामृत
- Sheera or panjiri शीरा या पंजीरी
- Bananas and dry fruit केले और मेवे
- Tulsi leaves तुलसी के पत्ते
- Ghee lamp, camphor, bell घी का दीपक, कपूर, घंटी
- Roli, haldi, akshat, mauli रोली, हल्दी, अक्षत, मौली
One common arrangement; families differ. Follow your family’s practice.
Prasad to make
Safety
Keep lamps and camphor away from banana leaves, cloth and children.
One festival, many traditions
Many families invite a priest to read the katha in Sanskrit or Hindi; many read it themselves. In many homes banana leaves frame the puja place, and the prasad differs from family to family: sooji sheera with banana, panjiri, panchamrit. Follow your family’s way.