Building a Jain temple (Derasar / Jinalay) is first and foremost a spiritual project, not just an architectural one. Below is a simple, traditional outline of how it is generally approached in Jain dharma.

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1. Purpose & Bhāva (Inner Intention)

1. The main purpose must be:

- To worship Arihant–Siddha, - To support sādhus–sādhvīs (where possible), - To give a pure place for sādhu‑satsaṅg, svādhyāy, and upāsanā (study, pravachan, bhakti).

1. The donors and committee should take basic vows:

- Strict vegetarianism (and preferably Jain diet), - No himsā (violence) connected with land purchase, money collection, or construction, - Honest and transparent use of funds.

Without pure bhāva, even a beautiful temple loses its real spiritual value.

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2. Selection of Land

Traditional Jain guidelines:

• Place should be:

- Peaceful, clean, and as non‑violent as possible. - Away from slaughterhouses, liquor shops, gambling places etc.

• Land must be:

- Honestly acquired (no cheating, force, or legal dispute). - Not on cremation ground or clearly “impure” sites.

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3. Guidance from Jain Āchārya / Learned Scholar

Before finalizing:

• Take āgñā (guidance) from:

- An Āchārya / Bhattārak / senior muni (as per your sect), or - A well‑learned Jain scholar who knows Prātiṣṭhā‑vidhi and śilpa‑śāstra.

• They help decide:

- Mūl nāyak (main Tirthankar) of the temple, - Orientation (usually idol facing East or North), - Basic layout of garbhagriha (sanctum), maṇḍap, pradakṣiṇā path, etc., - Future plan: how many vedis (shrines), upāśray, bhojanshālā, pathshālā etc.

For a more detailed (but still simple) explanation of temple parts and their importance, you can read here

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4. Design & Architecture (in brief)

Jain temples usually include:

1. Garbha‑gṛih – inner sanctum where the main idol (Mūl nāyak) is installed.
2. Gūḍh maṇḍap / Rang maṇḍap – pillared halls for darshan, pūjā, and satsaṅg.
3. Śikhar / Gumbaj – the spire above the sanctum.
4. Pradakṣiṇā‑mārg – path for circumambulation around the sanctum.
5. Snātra / Abhiṣek place – for daily and special abhiṣek (where tradition allows).
6. Dharmśālā / Bhojanalay / Pāṭhshālā – for travellers and religious education (if planned as a big tirth).

Important principles:

• No images of violence, nudity, or worldly entertainment in carvings.
• Natural light and good ventilation, but with full respect to sanctity.
• Extremely clean materials and work area; no leather, bone, etc.

For traditional guideline style, see also:

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5. Idols (Mūrtis) & Their Preparation

• Idols of Tirthankars must be:

- In padmāsan or kāyotsarg posture, - From one pure piece of stone/metal, - Without cracks or defects, - With calm, symmetrical, serene facial expression.

• According to sect:

- Śvetāmbars: idols often clothed and ornamented. - Digambars: Tirthankar in complete digambar (naked) form, no ornaments.

• The choice of Tirthankar as Mūl nāyak and other vedis is taken with Acharya’s guidance.

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6. Pratiṣṭhā (Consecration)

This is the most crucial spiritual step.

• Performed only under the direction of:

- Āchārya / Bhattārak / authorized Jain muni or a strictly traditional paṇḍit.

• Includes:

- Purification of the whole temple, - Specific rituals (like Anjan‑śalākā where practiced), - Installation of mūrtis on vedi on an auspicious tithi and nakṣatra.

• Once Pratiṣṭhā is done, the temple is a Jina‑mandir; behaviour inside must be extremely disciplined and pure.

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7. Daily Maryādā (Discipline & Worship)

After the temple is built, maintaining correct maryādā is more important than the construction itself.

Basic points:

• Proper timings for opening–closing, snātra, āratī, pūjā, and sāmudāyik bhakti.
• Only those who keep required vows and purity should do:

- Snātra / abhiṣek, - Touch the vedi and mūrtis.

• Absolute rules:

- No non‑veg, eggs, alcohol, or tobacco in or around the temple. - No footwear, leather belts/purses etc. inside. - Keep silence or very low, respectful speech; no gossip or business talks in the mandir.

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8. Management & Funds

• Form a trust/committee that follows Jain principles:

- Clear accounts, used for: - Temple maintenance, - Festivals and rituals, - Supporting sādhus–sādhvīs and Jain education, - Charity like bhojan, medical aid, etc., done with ahimsā.

• Avoid politics, ego clashes, and show‑off. The temple belongs to Jin‑shāsan, not to any one person or family.

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9. Practical Advice

If you truly plan to build a Jain temple:

1. First, meet senior Jain sadhus/sādhvīs or an Āchārya in your tradition.
2. Then, involve an architect who has experience with Jain temple design.
3. Study a few existing derasars and tirths to understand:

- Layout, - Maryādā, - Management structure.

You can see examples of established Jain temples and their descriptions here (look under various “Jain Tirthsthaans” pages for inspiration).

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In summary: Building a Jain temple is a mahā‑punya karma, but only when done with right faith, non‑violence, purity, and life‑long commitment to maintain correct Jain maryādā there. The physical structure is important, but the real temple is the dharma that is practiced and protected inside it.