Why families hold a puja and invite others
Many families hold a puja to give thanks for a blessing, to mark a new beginning or simply to bring the family together in devotion. The Satyanarayan katha is one of the most popular, often done on Purnima, after a wedding, on a birthday or when moving into a new home. A havan is performed for peace and purification. In North India, a jagran or mata ki chowki fills the night with bhajans for the Goddess, and a Sunderkand path is common on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Gujarati families often invite relatives for a Satyanarayan ni katha, a Ramdev Pir no path or a bhajan sandhya.
Whatever the puja, inviting people to share prasad and prayers is part of the joy. A simple card makes sure everyone knows the time the katha begins and when the aarti will be.
What to include
- A devotional line at the top, like "|| Om Namo Narayanaya ||", "|| Jai Mata Di ||" or "|| Shri Ganeshaya Namah ||".
- Name of the puja, such as Satyanarayan Katha, Havan, Mata ki Chowki or Sunderkand Path.
- Occasion, if any, like "On the occasion of our son's birthday" or "On Kartik Purnima".
- Date, day and time, with aarti and prasad timings.
- Venue with a clear address.
- Hosts and a contact number.
Traditional versus modern wording
Traditional
"With the grace of Lord Satyanarayan, we are organising a katha at our home. We humbly request you to attend with your family, take part in the aarti and accept prasad." This is the most common style for puja invitations.
Simple and friendly
"We are having a small Satyanarayan katha at home this Sunday. Do come for the aarti and prasad!" For neighbours and friends, a warm, simple line is enough.
Sample formats
Katha: || Om Namo Narayanaya || Satyanarayan Katha. On the occasion of Purnima. Sunday, 22 November 2026, katha at 5:00 PM, aarti at 6:30 PM, followed by prasad. At our home, A-12, Shivam Society, Rajkot. With best compliments from the Trivedi family.
Jagran: || Jai Mata Di || Mata ka Jagran. Saturday, 5 December 2026, from 9:00 PM till the Goddess's blessings. Community Park, Rohini, Delhi. Organised by the Gupta family.
When to send and reminders
For a small home puja, sending the card five to seven days ahead is enough. For a larger jagran or havan, send it about two weeks before. A reminder on the day, especially one mentioning the aarti time, helps guests who are coming only for the aarti and prasad. After the puja, a short thank-you message along with a photo of the decorated mandap is appreciated.
Etiquette for puja invitations
Puja invitations are usually open-hearted, and neighbours are always welcome. Mention whether a full meal will be served or only prasad, so guests can plan. If the puja is on a fasting day, it is thoughtful to note that the prasad is falahari. For an all-night jagran, give the approximate time of the main aarti and bhandara. Remind guests gently to dress modestly and to remove footwear outside the puja area, if the venue is a temple or home.
Many elders like to be personally invited for a puja, so a phone call along with the card is a respectful touch. If a pandit ji or bhajan mandali is coming from outside, share the same card with them so the timings match.
Common mistakes to avoid
- No aarti time: many guests come only for the aarti and prasad. Give that time clearly.
- Wrong day for the tithi: tithis sometimes change in the middle of the day. Confirm the date with the pandit ji before sending the card.
- Not mentioning the meal: say whether it is prasad only or a full bhojan.
- Missing contact number: for a jagran in a park or hall, give one number guests can call.
A message to send along with the card
For elders: "Jai Shri Krishna Foi, we are having a Satyanarayan katha at home on Purnima, 22 November, at 5 PM. Please come for the aarti and prasad. Card attached." For neighbours: "Katha at our home this Sunday evening, all are welcome for aarti at 6:30." The list below has more messages for every kind of puja.
Different pujas, different details
A havan usually needs guests to arrive before the purnahuti, so mention that time. A jagran goes on late into the night, so tell guests when the main aarti and bhandara will be. For a Sunderkand or Hanuman Chalisa path, the start time matters most because it is recited together. For a Ganesh sthapana during Ganesh Chaturthi, mention the days on which darshan is open and when the visarjan will be.
A clear card saves the host many phone calls on the day, leaving more time for the puja itself.
How to make a puja card on this site
- Enter the occasion or puja name, such as "On the occasion of Purnima".
- Add the date, time and venue.
- Enter the host family's names.
- Choose a devotional invitation line or write your own.
- Use the note for aarti time, prasad or bhandara details.
- Download and share the card on WhatsApp.
The heading on the card reads "Satyanarayan Katha" by default. You can adjust the wording to suit a havan, jagran, chowki or path. May the puja bring peace and blessings to your home.