Chetivandan (also written Chaitya‑vandana / ચૈત્યવંદન) means:

“Vandan (bowing, paying respect) at the Chaitya (Jin temple / Jin idol / holy place).”

In simple words:

• It is a daily Jin‑mandir ritual performed mainly by Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak Jains.
• The shrāvaka or shrāvikā goes to the temple, does darshan of the Jina idol, performs khamāsan (full prostration), and recites certain Jain sūtras and stavans.
• Through this, one offers deep respect to Arihants, Siddhas, Āchāryas, Upādhyāyas and Sādhus, and to the temple (chaitya) itself.
• The purpose is to:

- Cultivate vinay (humility) - Strengthen samyak darshan (right faith) - Purify mind, speech and body - Remember the qualities of Jinas and move a little closer to the path of moksha.

Tradition note:

• The word and set ritual “Chetivandan / Chaitya‑vandana” in this form is especially associated with Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak practice.
• Digambar Jains also do mandir‑puja, stotras, pradakshina, etc., but usually do not call the ritual “Chetivandan”; they use terms like Deva‑pūjā, Jin‑pūjā, Stotra‑pāṭh etc.

So, Chetivandan is simply the formal Jain way of bowing to the Jina and the temple with prescribed sūtras and deep reverence.