Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Fasting, Vratham Procedure, Satyanarayan Puja

Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Fasting (Vratham), Satya Deva Vratha katha:
Sri Satnarayana fasting in India is followed throughout for wealth, education, prosperity, off spring, relief from troubles and sickness and success in business. When it came to be known that Lord Satyanarayana Swamy had manifested himself on the Ratnagiri hills at Annavaram in unique form combining the Trimurthis – Brahma, Vishnu and Siva the number of pilgrims from far and near swelled to hundreds and thousands. Though Ekadesi is considered to be very auspicious for the Vratham, the individual devotees perform it even on other convenient days.

The origin of the fasting was narrated as follows: Once a highly educated Brahmin who had no means of livelihood was wandering from place to place for food. Lord Vishnu had taken pity on him and appeared before him and advised him to perform the pooja and be on fasting to Lord Satyanarayana who is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He also told him the way in which the pooja was to be performed. Hence the next day the Brahmin was able to get the funds for doing the pooja and did it as per the directions given by Lord Vishnu. Thus, he was blessed by the Lord with prosperity and lived very happily with his family and attained salvation after death.

A poor man who has been earning livelihood selling firewood from the forests once went to go to that Brahmin’s house for water to quench his thirst, while the Brahmin was engaged in performing Satyanarayana Swamy Vratham. He waited till the end, quenched his thirst and enquired as to what the pooja was that. The Brahmin told him in detail all about it and the poor man had decided to perform the vratham himself and to spend the next day’s earnings for the pooja. What he got the next day was enough for the vratham, which he performed with great devotion and became prosperous, happy and attained moksham.

Another story for this fasting is also believed where it is believed that once Sage Narada was very much distressed at the misery of marthyas (men in this world) and prayed Lord Vishnu to be informed of a way out for them. The lord then told him that Satyanarayana Vratham would relieve men of their troubles and would ensure worldly prosperity and salvation after death. He also narrated that a pious Brahmin of Banaras performed the fasting first. It was also described how king Ulkamukha of Bhadrasilanagaram, Emperor Tungadhwaja, and a community of Gollas in his kingdom, a Vaisya business man named Sadhuvu, and a poor woodcutter of Banaras has performed this vratham and were blessed by Lord Satyanarayanaswamy (Vishnu himself) with all they desired.

Annavaram Temple Timings: 5.00 am to 9.00 pm.

The Procedure of the Vratham:

Before the Sankalpam (inauguration) the floor is cleaned, decorate it with rangoli with four of five colors then a square piece of new cloth is spread over it. Rice is spread as a layer upon the cloth and a Kalasam is kept and covered with Mango leaves or Betel leaves and a piece of new cloth. A small image of Lord Satyanarayana swamy is kept on the cloth after Abhishekam. Afterwards, Vighneswara Swamy, Lakshmi, Parvati, Siva, Navagrahas and Ashta Dikpalakas are worshipped in order. Then Lord Satyanarayana Swamy is invoked and worshipped.

The Prasadam is prepared with plantains, cow’s milk, cow’s ghee, Rava of Wheat or Sojji and Sugar or Jaggery is offered to the Lord as prasadham and distributed to the friends and relatives who are invited for this sacred fasting.

Rates and Details:

For Pooja performance couple or single person will be allowed. Ticket rates and place of Pooja are as follows:

Annavaram Temple Address:

Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple
Annavaram Town Road,
East Godavari District,
Annavaram,
Andhra Pradesh 533406.
Cell: 9491000636
Phone : 08868-238121, 238125, 238163, 39999.