Satyanarayana Vrata (ಸತ್ಯನಾರಾಯಣ ವ್ರತ )

  

The Satyanarayanã Pooja is a religious worship of the Hindu god Vishnu. Satya means “truth” and Narayana means, “The highest being” so Satyanarayanã means “The highest being who is an embodiment of Truth”. 

The Satyanarayana pooja can be performed on any day for any reason. It is not a pooja confined to any festivities, but Purnima (full moon day) or Ekadashi (11th lunar day of each of the 2 lunar phases which occur in a Vedic calendar month)  is considered specifically auspicious for this Vrata. Performing this Vrata in the evening is considered more appropriate. However, one can perform this Vrata in the morning as well

Vrata or Puja means a religious vow, religious observance, or obligation. Hindus throughout  perform Sri Satyanarayanã Vrata for the divine blessings of health, wealth, prosperity, opulence, education; relief from troubles and sickness. It can also be performed because of success in business or career growth; during social functions like marriages, house-warming ceremonies, the naming of the children, and so on.

The main Prasad [offering] (is also called as Sheera or Sapaada Bhakshya [ಸಪಾದ ಭಕ್ಷ್ಯ]  is prepared using sugar, Semolina, and Ghee. 

Popularly, it is cooked to blanch. Cardamoms, cashews, raisins, and bananas are added while cooking or as garnishing.

Sri Satya Narayana puja is a very popular ritual in most parts of India including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha, Manipur

The ritual is usually performed on the Full moon day of every month, Ekadashi (11th day after the full moon or new moon), Kārtika Pūrṇimā, Vaiśākhā Pūrṇimā, solar eclipse day or on Saṅkrānti except during Āṣāḍha Chandra Masa. 

It is also performed on special occasions and during times of achievements, as an offering of gratitude to the Lord. These occasions could include marriage, graduation, the start of a new job, purchase of a new home, to name a few.