Lord Vishnu (as Satyanarayan)

Spread banana leaves on a clean chowki (platform). Place a kalash (water vessel) with mango leaves and coconut on top. Place the Satyanarayan image/idol on the banana leaves. Arrange fruits, coins, akshat, flowers, and paan-supari around the deity. Tie red thread (mauli) on the kalash.

Perform achamana and sankalpa. Invoke Lord Satyanarayan by offering akshat, flowers, kumkum, and Tulsi. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" 12 times. Offer panchamrit abhishek to the idol, followed by clean water. Dress with yellow cloth and sandalwood.

Read Chapter 1 of the Satyanarayan Katha. A poor Brahmin receives the Satyanarayan vrat vidhi from Lord Vishnu himself. A woodcutter hears about it and performs the puja — his poverty is destroyed and he gains wealth. This chapter establishes that Satyanarayan puja is accessible to all, regardless of caste or status.

Perform a brief aarti with the ghee lamp after reading Chapter 1. Wave the lamp before the deity and offer flowers. All present should join in.

Read Chapter 2. A devout merchant named Sadhu performs the Satyanarayan puja regularly and prospers. A king named Ulkamukh and his minister Shatananda encounter the merchant during the puja and join in — they too receive prosperity and children. This chapter shows the contagious nature of Satyanarayan's grace.

Perform brief aarti after Chapter 2, then read Chapter 3. King Ulkamukh, upon returning from a hunting trip, forgets his promise to perform the puja and neglects the prasad. As a result, he loses all his wealth and is imprisoned. He remembers his vow, performs the puja in prison, and is restored. This chapter warns against neglecting vows made to Satyanarayan.

Perform brief aarti after Chapter 3, then read Chapter 4. The merchant Sadhu's wife Lilavati sends their daughter Kalavati to receive her returning father at the harbor. But Kalavati, in her haste, neglects to eat the Satyanarayan prasad. As punishment, her husband's ship sinks and he is imprisoned. She realizes her mistake, performs the puja properly, and all is restored. This chapter emphasizes that prasad must NEVER be refused.

Perform brief aarti after Chapter 4, then read Chapter 5 — the conclusion. Suta Muni summarizes the glory of Satyanarayan vrat: whoever hears or performs this katha with devotion attains all desires, is freed from sorrow, and gains lasting prosperity. The critical warning is repeated — the prasad must be consumed by ALL present; refusing it brings misfortune.

Perform the final grand aarti singing "Om Jai Lakshmi Ramana". Offer the sheera (semolina halwa prepared with ghee, sugar, and dry fruits) as naivedya. After offering, distribute sheera prasad to EVERY person present — this is the most critical part of the entire puja. No one should leave without eating prasad. Untie the red thread from the kalash and tie it on the wrists of all family members.