Answer

In many Jain temples, people do Baras Puja before Jal Puja because it is followed as a local temple tradition or practical sequence, not because it is universally the only scriptural order for every Jain temple.

In Jain Dharma, the deeper point is bhav — devotion, humility, purity, and reverence toward Arihant Bhagwan.

Explanation

In Jain temples, different sanghs and traditions may follow slightly different daily puja sequences. Commonly, devotees may do:

• Baras Puja as a respectful preliminary devotional act
• Then Jal Puja as part of the main Ashta Prakari Puja sequence

This happens because temple practice is often shaped by:

• Parampara — tradition followed by that sangh
• Vyavahar — practical temple arrangement
• Local customs taught by elders, pujari, or guru bhagwants
• Orderliness in managing many devotees doing puja

So when you see “everyone” doing Baras Puja before Jal Puja, it usually means that particular temple or community has adopted that sequence as its normal practice.

Spiritual Understanding

Jal Puja symbolizes purification of the soul from karmic impurities. Baras Puja is also done with reverence and devotion. If done with right understanding, both help cultivate:

• Vinay — humility
• Bhakti — devotion
• Shuddhata — purity
• Samyaktva bhavna — right faith-oriented reflection

The exact outer order may vary, but the inner attitude should remain pure.

Takeaway

People do Baras Puja before Jal Puja mainly because of temple parampara and practical custom. It should be followed respectfully in that temple, while remembering that the true essence of Jain puja is pure bhav, devotion, and spiritual purification.