Answer

Many Jain temples may have images of Hindu deities because of historical, cultural, regional, and protective-deity traditions, but the main object of worship in a Jain temple is always the Tirthankar or other Jain spiritual figure, not Hindu gods.

In Jain Dharma, worship is centered on the Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyays, and Sadhus, as expressed in the Namokar Mantra.

Explanation

There are a few reasons this is seen:

• Shared Indian culture: Jains and Hindus have lived side by side for centuries. In some regions, artistic styles, temple architecture, and local customs influenced each other.
• Yakshas and Yakshinis: Jain temples often include guardian deities such as Chakreshwari Devi, Padmavati Devi, Ambika Devi, Ghantakarna Mahavir, and others. Some visitors may mistake these Jain protective deities for Hindu gods or goddesses because their forms can look similar.
• Regional devotional traditions: In some communities, local deities became associated with temple surroundings due to local customs, donor traditions, or historical practice.
• Historical patronage: Some temples were built or renovated under rulers or patrons who supported multiple religious traditions, so artistic elements from different traditions sometimes appear.

Important Jain Understanding

Jain Dharma does recognize heavenly beings, devas, and devis, but they are not liberated souls. They are still within the cycle of birth and death.

Therefore, they are not worshipped as supreme beings or creators. In Jainism:

• Tirthankars are worshipped as perfected spiritual teachers.
• Siddhas are liberated souls.
• Devas and devis may be respected, but they are not the final spiritual goal.

The purpose of Jain worship is not to ask for worldly favors, but to awaken qualities such as:

• right faith,
• right knowledge,
• right conduct,
• non-violence,
• detachment,
• self-purification.

Takeaway

Jain temples may contain images that look like Hindu gods due to cultural and historical overlap, but the spiritual focus of a Jain temple remains firmly Jain: reverence for the Tirthankars, liberated souls, and the path to moksha.