A complete step-by-step guide to performing the puja at home.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Satyanarayana
Observe a fast throughout the day (or at least until the puja). Bathe, wear clean yellow or white clothes, and set up a chowki covered with yellow cloth in the puja area.
Sit facing east. Hold water, akshat, and a flower in your palm. Take Sankalp — stating your name, gotra, place, and the purpose (dharma, artha, kama, moksha) for which you are performing this vrat.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। अद्य श्री सत्यनारायण व्रत पूजनम् करिष्ये।
Place a kalash filled with water on the chowki. Add a coin, akshat, supari, and a flower. Top with mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red or yellow cloth. Tie moli around the neck of the kalash.
Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva, red flowers, chandan, akshat, and modak/laddoo. No Hindu puja begins without Ganesha.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Worship the nine planets (Navagraha) and the eight directional guardians (Dikpala) briefly with akshat and flowers to ensure a harmonious puja. This is characteristic of Satyanarayan Katha.
Invoke Lord Satyanarayana into the idol or Shaligram by chanting the Avahana mantra. Perform the sixteen upacharas — Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, Snana (panchamrit), Vastra (yellow cloth), Gandha (chandan), Akshat, Tulsi and Pushpa, Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya (sheera), Tambula, Pradakshina, Namaskar. Tulsi is essential.
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥ ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं सत्यनारायणाय नमः॥
Recite all five chapters (Adhyaya) of the Satyanarayan Vrat Katha — the story of Lord Satyanarayana as told by Lord Vishnu to Narada. Pause after each chapter for all attending devotees to offer a pinch of akshat to the deity. Listening to the katha is the heart of the vrat.
जय देव जय देव जय लक्ष्मीरमणा। सत्यनारायण स्वामी जनपातक हरणा॥
Perform the Satyanarayan Aarti with a lit camphor in a thali. Sing 'Jai Lakshmi Ramana' and let every devotee take the flame for blessings. Ring the bell throughout.
जय लक्ष्मी रमणा, स्वामी जय लक्ष्मी रमणा।
Offer a handful of yellow flowers at the feet of the deity while reciting the Satyanarayan Pushpanjali mantra. Pray for the fulfilment of your intention.
Distribute the sheera prasad to all attending devotees. Everyone breaks the fast together after consuming the prasad. Feed brahmins and/or the needy before the householders eat — this is an essential part of the vrat.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.