Answer

Yes, many Jains do believe in and worship a Kuldevi or Kuldevata as a family or lineage deity.

However, in Jain Dharma, the highest objects of worship are always:

• Arihants
• Siddhas
• Acharyas
• Upadhyays
• Sadhus

This is expressed in the Navkar Mantra.

Explanation

A Kuldevi is generally understood as the protective deity of a family, clan, or lineage. Many Jain families, especially in different regional communities, have a traditional Kuldevi whom they respect and worship during family occasions.

In Jain tradition, there are also Yaksha and Yakshini deities associated with Tirthankars, such as:

• Chakreshwari Devi
• Padmavati Devi
• Ambika Devi

Many Jains worship such deities with devotion, but they are not considered equal to Tirthankars or Siddhas.

Spiritual Understanding

According to Jain Dharma:

• Godhood is not based on creation or control of the world.
• The highest spiritual state is liberation, attained by destroying karmas.
• Tirthankars and Siddhas are worshipped because they are completely free from attachment, hatred, and karma.
• Deities like Kuldevis may be respected, but they are still worldly beings within saṃsāra.

So, a Jain may respect a Kuldevi as part of family tradition, but should not consider her above the Arihants and Siddhas.

Takeaway

Jains may believe in and worship Kuldevis as family deities, but Jain Dharma places supreme reverence on the liberated and spiritually perfected beings: Arihants and Siddhas.