Answer

In Jain practice, the main and widely accepted ritual is Nav Ang Chandan Puja — applying sandalwood paste to the nine sacred limbs/places of the Tirthankar Bhagwan’s idol.

After that, some people additionally apply chandan to:

• Both toes and forehead
• Only the right toe

These are generally understood as local, sectarian, or temple-tradition-based practices. They are not usually counted as part of the standard Nav Ang Puja itself.

So, the most careful answer is:

Nav Ang Puja is the essential and established puja. The additional touching of one toe or both toes and forehead should be followed according to one’s family, gaccha, sangh, or temple tradition.

Explanation

1. Nav Ang Chandan Puja

Nav Ang Puja honors the Tirthankar’s pure qualities through nine symbolic places of the idol. The devotee is not worshipping the physical body as ordinary matter, but remembering the infinite virtues of the Arihant Bhagwan.

The purpose is:

• Devotion toward the Arihant
• Remembrance of spiritual purity
• Humility before the qualities of the Jina
• Inspiration to purify one’s own soul

2. Puja of both toes and forehead

Where this practice is followed, it is usually understood devotionally as:

• Right toe and left toe: Reverence at the lotus feet of Bhagwan. The feet symbolize surrender, humility, and following the path shown by the Tirthankar.
• Forehead: Reverence to supreme knowledge, purity, and the enlightened state of the Jina.

In simple terms, the devotee bows from the feet to the head — expressing complete devotion to the whole spiritual ideal represented by Bhagwan.

3. Puja of only the right toe

Where only the right toe is worshipped, it is often treated as a brief additional act of reverence after Nav Ang Puja.

The right foot or right toe may be taken as a symbolic place of respectful surrender at Bhagwan’s feet. In Indian religious culture generally, touching or bowing to the feet represents humility and discipleship. In Jain puja, this becomes a reminder:

• “May I walk on the path shown by the Jina.”
• “May I remain humble before the Arihant’s qualities.”
• “May my ego reduce through devotion.”

Which is correct?

It is best not to say that one of these additional customs is universally correct and the other is wrong.

A careful Jain answer would be:

• The core puja: Nav Ang Chandan Puja.
• Additional right toe or both toes and forehead: follow the tradition taught by your guru, gaccha, family, or temple.
• Do not criticize others if their tradition differs, as long as the practice is done respectfully and within Jain maryada.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, the inner bhav is very important.

Whether one performs only Nav Ang Puja, adds only the right toe, or adds both toes and forehead, the real spiritual purpose is:

• To cultivate humility
• To remember the Tirthankar’s virtues
• To reduce attachment, ego, and passions
• To strengthen one’s resolve to follow Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnan, and Samyak Charitra

The chandan itself is cool and fragrant. Spiritually, it reminds us to make our inner state calm, pure, and free from anger and passions.

Takeaway

Nav Ang Chandan Puja is the established main practice. The additional puja of one toe or both toes and forehead depends on tradition. Follow your guru or temple maryada with humility, and focus on the bhav of devotion, surrender, and inner purification.