The purpose of Satynarayana Puja is also to bring relatives, friends, neighbors, and family members together and encourage unity and harmony. It is a common belief amongst Hindus that we should focus on universal happiness and unity. Thus, a celebration like this can make the world one fine place to live together and offer prayers and rituals.

According to Madhuri Yadlapati, professor in the religion department at Louisiana State University, the Satyanarayana Puja is an archetypal example of how "the Hindu puja facilitates the intimacy of devotional worship while enabling a humble sense of participating gratefully in a larger sacred world" 

What is Satyanarayana Pooja for?

Sri Satyanarayana Puja is a sacred Puja generally performed by all Hindus before the commencement of any auspicious event such as marriage, house warming, naming of a child, new business etc. This Puja is also performed to overcome the hardships or problems or the difficulties caused by the deeds of the previous birth in the course of life such as not having children, not getting a promotion, or good results in examinations, or success in our efforts, or get over with sorrows or poverty etc. This Puja is performed just to seek the blessing of Lord Narayan for good health, wealth, prosperity and relief from illness and sickness.

The significance of this Puja is that it can be performed on any day, any time for any good reason, within one’s financial capacity.  It can also be done as an offering of gratitude to Lord Shriman Narayana after the desired event happened in life.

Please describe Satyanarayana Puja Vidhi

The Puja Vidhi was promulgated by Lord Narada for the people on Earth and has been deemed fit to be practiced in every Yuga, even in the Kali Yuga.

One should invite Brahmins, relatives, friends, neighbors, and  pray with family members first to the Lords of the five worlds, Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Parvati (Pancha lokapalakas), the nine planets (Navagrahas), Indra and the other lords of the eight directions (Ashtadikpalakas) along with their presiding deities (Adhi Devatas and Prayadhi Devatas) should be worshiped. Then, Lord Satyanarayana, represented by the main Kalashas, should be invited and worshiped with full devotion and faith. Perform your worship by offering a mixture of bananas, ghee, milk, wheat grains or rice grains, sugar, or jaggery.

With a pure mind and body, the one performing the puja should pledge, 'O Lord Satyanarayana! To receive your blessings, I am performing this worship with devotion and concentration.' In addition, chant â€œOm Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaya Namoh:” during the prayers.

Recite or listen to the stories of the worship with full attention and acceptance. Have Prasadam with everyone and offer Dakshina and gifts to the Brahmins; by the grace of God, all of the sins will be destroyed.

When to perform Satyanarayana Puja?

This worship can be done every month or once a year depending on one's conditions. It can be performed on full moon day, Ekadashi (eleventh day of each of the two fortnights of the lunar month), and Sankranti (the holy day marking the Sun's entry into Capricorn). This puja can be performed in the evening on any day as well.

Who can perform Satyanarayana Puja?

People of any caste, any age man or woman can perform this puja. Brahmins can worship according to the Puranas and the Vedas. Others should worship according to the Puranas. In this Kaliyuga, this worship is the easiest way to fulfill one's desires.

What are the benefits of observing the Satyanarayana Puja/Vrat?

We can have some holistic benefits and some spiritual benefits by performing the Satyanarayana Puja. 

Holistic benefits include,

1. By observing the Satyanarayana Vrat, one’s insides becomes cleaner and deletes the sins of the past and present life.
2. It strengthens your mental health as you become more connected and focused on your path towards solvation
3. It is believed that this Vrat can conquer all the troubles in your life.
4. Your wishes, needs, and desires will come true when you feed many hearts to satiation.

5.      You will have a contended and accomplished life more importantly.

Spiritual benefits of Satyanarayana Puja incorporate,

1. A desire to live truthfully in your ways of  life and living
2. Acquire a good understanding of good, bad, right, and wrong actions.
3. Obtain a spiritual life that can lead you to a Dharmic path. 

It is observed that after performing this puja with devotion and faith, devotees generally benefit a lot – their problems are resolved and they can get over the difficulties in life. Since, their only faith, sincerity and devotion counts while performing this worship.