“Pratishtha Vidhi” means the proper Jain way of installing a Jin‑pratima (idol of Tirthankar) or Guru‑murti in a temple / upashray / home shrine, according to Agamic rules and acharya‑maryada.

Below is a very simple, general outline (details always depend on your tradition, local acharya and paddhati):

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1. Basic principles of Jain Pratishtha

• No “life‑entry” (prana‑pratishtha) idea like some other religions.

In Jain Dharma, the idol is a reminder and symbol of the Siddha/Kevali, not a living god entering the stone.

• Purity and Ahimsa:

- Place must be clean and peaceful. - Materials (stone, metal, etc.) should be pure, unbroken, not previously used for worldly work.

• Authority:

- Pratishtha is done only under guidance of Acharya / learned monks / authorized scholars, never as a self‑made “home ceremony” imagined by us.

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2. Common steps in Jain Pratishtha Vidhi (very high‑level)

Exact sequence differs for Śvetāmbara / Digambara and even from one sangh to another, but generally includes:

1. Shuddhi & Sankalp

- Cleaning of place and samagri. - Snān, clean clothes, pachchakkhan / pratyakhyan for discipline. - Sankalp: “We are installing this murti for right darshan‑gyan‑charitra, for spiritual upliftment.”

1. Snatra / Jal‑abhishek

- Snatra Puja or similar abhishek‑vidhi of the Jin‑pratima. - Bathing the idol with water and other permitted dravya (as per tradition), with sutra and stavan.

1. Ang‑Puja / Ashtaprakari Puja

- Puja with dravya like jal, chandan, akshat, pushpa‑alternatives, deep, naivedya, dhoop etc., as allowed in that tradition. - Stavan of Tirthankaras, recital of Navkar Mantra and other sutras.

1. Mantra‑Ucharan & Pratishtha Kriya

- Specific Pratishtha mantras and sutras recited by Acharya / vidhikar. - Idol is placed in its final fixed position (sinhasan/vedi) with proper directions (generally east‑facing, as per maryada). - For Guru‑murti, there is also special guru‑vandan, stuti, and prakashan.

1. Aarti, Mangal, Ashirvad

- Aarti, mangalik, and shubha‑ashish from Acharya or vidhikar. - Sangh does collective Kshamapana (seeking forgiveness for any mistake in vidhi).

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3. Śvetāmbara and Digambara – general difference

• Śvetāmbara:

- More emphasis on Snatra Puja, Ashtaprakari Puja, stavan, aarti, with specific Pratishtha sutras from their paddhati books. - Sometimes multi‑day programs (pratishtha‑mahotsav) with puja, swapna‑darshan, kalash‑yatra, etc.

• Digambara:

- Strong focus on acharya‑maryada, strict rules for idol size, pose, materials, and placement. - Pratishtha done mainly under direct presence or niyog of Digambar Acharyas with their own Agamic paddhati and mantras. - Often includes panchamrut abhishek, jinendra bhakti, and special mangalacharan as per Digambar texts.

Essence in both: The idol is not “made divine”; it is formally accepted as a sacred support for right darshan of the already‑perfect Tirthankaras.

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4. For home / small shrine

• True Agamic Pratishtha still needs proper guidance.
• For a simple home shrine, many families just:

- Keep a clean, fixed place for Jin‑murti or photo. - Do Snatra / Puja / Samayik / Pratikraman there regularly. - If you want a “formal” sthapana, consult your local acharya / sadhu / pathshala for the correct paddhati of your tradition.

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For a short explanation of Guru‑murti sthapana and Pratishtha Vidhi in simple language, you can read more here: