In Panch‑Kalyanak Pratishtha, “Vidhi Nāyak” is a specific responsibility given to a person (usually a very sincere, disciplined shravak/shravika or sometimes a senior member of the sangh).

Very simply:

1. Meaning of Vidhi Nāyak

• “Vidhi” = religious procedure / ritual (puja, hom, pratishtha steps, etc.)
• “Nāyak” = leader / coordinator.

So, Vidhi Nāyak = the person who leads and coordinates the proper performance of all vidhis (rituals) during the Panch‑Kalyanak.

2. Main role in Panch‑Kalyanak

During a Panch‑Kalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav (of a new Jinalay or idol):

1. Keeping rituals as per shastra and maryada

- Makes sure that every puja, hom, abhishek, arghya, etc. is done - at the right time, - in the right sequence, - with the right mantras, as guided by Acharya/Muni/Pandit and the Pratishthāchārya.

1. Connecting Acharya / Pandit and the Sangh

- Whatever the Pratishthāchārya or Guru decides, the Vidhi Nāyak explains and executes with the lay people. - He/She helps devotees understand: - “Ab yeh puja hogi”, - “Ab yeh sankalp hoga”, - “Ab sab milkar yeh stotra bolenge”, etc.

1. Co‑ordination of participants and responsibilities

- Organises which family or person will do which puja (e.g. abhishek, arghya, flag hoisting, aarti, etc.). - Keeps a check that all dravyas (jal, chandan, pushpa, akshat, deepak, etc.) are ready and used with shuddhi and bhav. - Ensures discipline and shanti in the mandap while rituals are going on.

1. Announcing and guiding sankalp

- Often helps in announcing the sankalp (for example: name of tirth, deity, donors, day’s main kalyanak, etc.), or supports the main vidhikār/pandit who is speaking. - Reminds devotees of the bhav (inner feeling): - samyak darshan ki bhavna, - ashrava–bandh ko rokne ki bhavna, - punya se zyada papa se bachne ki bhavna, etc.

1. Support to Pratishthāchārya / Acharya

- The spiritual head (Acharya / Muni / Pratishthāchārya) does the main spiritual and shastriya part. - Vidhi Nāyak supports by managing the practical flow, so that the Acharya can focus on dharma, not on crowd or arrangement.

3. Digambar & Shvetambar – small differences, same essence

• Digambar tradition:

- Often, a senior shravak (sometimes called Mukhya Vidhi Nāyak or similar) works very closely with the Digambar Acharya/Muni and karyakartas. - More emphasis on hom, anjanshalakā, and detailed shastriya paddhati; Vidhi Nāyak makes sure laypeople follow all maryadas properly.

• Shvetambar (especially Murtipujak):

- Vidhi Nāyak coordinates various pujas, chaityavandans, stavans, processions, and pratimā‑related rituals under the guidance of the Guru or Pratishthāchārya. - Names for roles sometimes differ (e.g. vidhikār, mahāvidhikār), but function is the same: lead the vidhi correctly.

Essence in both: > Vidhi Nāyak is not the spiritual authority like Acharya, > but is the main lay coordinator ensuring that the entire Panch‑Kalyanak runs exactly according to Jain shastra and tradition, with order, purity, and right bhav.