Answer

In Jain Dharma, a Mandir and a Sthanak are both sacred places for spiritual practice, but they are different in their form of worship.

• Mandir usually has idols of Tirthankars, and devotees do darshan, puja, vandan, stavan, and other devotional practices.
• Sthanak does not have idols. It is mainly used for samayik, pratikraman, pravachan, meditation, and listening to Jain teachings.

Explanation

The main difference comes from different Jain traditions:

• Deravasi / Murtipujak tradition worships in Jain temples with Tirthankar idols.
• Sthanakvasi tradition does not practice idol worship, so their prayer hall is called a Sthanak.

A Jain Mandir is built as a temple where the idol of a Tirthankar is placed with great respect. Devotees go there to remember the qualities of the Tirthankars and develop devotion, humility, and detachment.

A Sthanak is usually a simple hall. There is no idol or temple ritual. The focus is more on inner worship, self-discipline, meditation, vows, scriptural learning, and pravachan by sadhus or sadhvis.

Spiritual Understanding

Both Mandir and Sthanak aim toward the same spiritual goal: purification of the soul and progress on the path shown by the Tirthankars.

The outer method is different, but the inner purpose is similar:

• to reduce anger, ego, deceit, and greed
• to practice ahimsa, truth, self-control, and compassion
• to remember the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir and other Tirthankars
• to move closer to right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct

Takeaway

A Mandir is a Jain temple with idols and temple worship. A Sthanak is a Jain prayer hall without idols, focused on meditation, pravachan, and inner spiritual practice.

Both are respected Jain places of worship, followed according to different Jain traditions.