Answer

Here is a simple, respectful step-by-step guide for going to a Jain temple, doing darshan, performing the 9 tilak pooja if your temple tradition follows it, and then leaving the temple.

Explanation

1) Before entering the temple

• Bathe and wear clean, modest, pure clothes.
• Keep your mind शांत, respectful, and focused.
• Remove footwear before entering the temple premises.
• Wash hands and feet if there is a place for it.
• Do not carry unnecessary items inside.

2) At the entrance

• Enter quietly and with devotion.
• Do pranām or bow respectfully.
• Keep your head and body humble.
• Do not speak loudly, laugh, or behave casually.

3) Inside the temple

• First go for darshan of Bhagwan.
• Stand calmly in front of the idol.
• Fold hands and pray silently.
• If your temple custom allows, chant:

- Namo Arihantanam - Namo Siddhanam - or any proper Jain prayer/stuti

4) Before pooja

• Check whether the temple follows digambar or shwetambar tradition, because some pooja steps differ.
• Take guidance from the priest, pujari, or experienced devotees if needed.
• Use pure and allowed pooja materials according to the temple tradition.

5) During the 9 tilak pooja

The exact method can vary by temple tradition, but generally:

• Sit or stand in a clean, disciplined way.
• Keep your mind in devotion and concentration.
• Apply the tilaks in the prescribed order and method given by the temple tradition.
• While doing each tilak, stay शांत and remember the गुणs of Bhagwan.
• Do not hurry.
• Maintain purity in thought, speech, and body.
• Follow the same sequence as practiced in that temple.

If you are doing this in a group or under guidance, it is best to follow the local temple paddhati exactly, because the 9-tilak pooja may be performed slightly differently in different Jain sects and temples.

6) After pooja

• Bow again respectfully before Bhagwan.
• Offer your inner prayer for:

- right faith - right knowledge - right conduct - forgiveness - reduction of karmas

• Take a moment of silence.

7) Before leaving the sanctum

• Do not turn your back disrespectfully very quickly.
• Leave slowly and calmly.
• If your tradition includes kshamapana, ask forgiveness mentally or by saying:

- Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ if appropriate in your custom.

8) Outside the temple

When you come outside:

• Put on footwear only after fully leaving the sacred area.
• Keep your voice low.
• Do not speak harshly or gossip immediately after darshan.
• Maintain a pure and peaceful state of mind.
• Avoid eating, drinking, or doing worldly talk right away if possible.
• If there is a temple hall or courtyard, walk respectfully and do not run.

9) Things to remember after temple visit

• Carry the purity of darshan into daily life.
• Try to remain अहिंसा-ful, शांत, and संयमी.
• If you received prasad, chandan, or holy items, keep them respectfully.
• Reflect on the vows of Jain Dharma and the teaching of non-violence.

Spiritual Understanding

Temple visit in Jain Dharma is not only an outer ritual. It is a way to:

• calm the mind
• develop humility
• remember the liberated soul
• reduce attachment and ego
• strengthen right conduct

The real value of darshan and pooja comes from inner purity, devotion, and awareness.

Takeaway

The main steps are:

1. Prepare yourself with purity
2. Enter respectfully
3. Do darshan
4. Perform the 9 tilak pooja according to your temple tradition
5. Pray sincerely
6. Leave calmly
7. Maintain reverence even after coming outside

If you want, I can also give you this as a very easy step-by-step puja sequence in order, like a checklist you can follow in the temple.