Satyanarayan Vrat is
a religious observance that may be conducted on any day of the month, but is
most usually celebrated on the full moon day.
Vishnu is the ruling god, who is worshipped as Satyanarayan
("Lord of Truth").
The ceremony is said to drive out evil and provide wealth to
its sponsors (those who employ a brahmin to execute the rite), performers, and
even listeners.
Dietary changes and devotion are two of the rite's main
aspects, which are common to most Hindu religious observances.
The observant must observe a rigorous fast (upavasa) till
the ritual is completed on the day this rite is done.
A pavilion is constructed in which an image of Satya narayan
is erected and worshipped (part of the worship involves reciting the rite's
charter myth), and prasad is distributed to all those present.
