Answer

As Jains, our worship should be directed toward the Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyays, Sadhus, and the path of Samyak Darshan, Samyak Gyan, and Samyak Charitra.

So, from a strict Jain Dharma viewpoint, doing Lakshmi puja as worship of a wealth-giving goddess is not the Jain spiritual ideal.

However, many Jain families and businesses observe Dhanteras / Diwali shop rituals culturally. If done, it should be done with Jain bhavna, not with attachment to wealth or belief that a deity grants prosperity.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma:

• We do not worship wealth as a spiritual goal.
• We do not ask gods or goddesses for material gain.
• True prosperity means punya, right conduct, honesty, non-violence, restraint, and inner purity.

So if you want to do something at your shop, it is better to perform a Jain mangalik / Jain puja rather than Lakshmi puja.

You may do:

• Navkar Mantra jap
• Logassa Sutra
• Uvasaggaharam Stotra
• Shanti path
• Chaityavandan if you know the proper method
• Pratikraman or at least ask forgiveness for any business-related himsa, deceit, harsh speech, or greed
• Donate to jivdaya, gau-shala, panjrapol, sadhu-sadhvi seva, temple, or needy people

At the shop, you can respectfully place:

• Picture/idol of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami or any Tirthankar Bhagwan
• Siddhachakra Yantra if your family tradition uses it
• Navkar Mantra
• New account books or business records

Then pray:

• May our business be honest.
• May no one be cheated.
• May our earnings be pure and rightful.
• May we use wealth for dharma, seva, and compassion.
• May greed, pride, anger, and attachment reduce.

When Should You Do It?

If your family observes the Diwali business tradition, the common Jain-friendly options are:

• Dhanteras: Clean the shop, do Navkar Mantra, mangalik, and resolve to conduct business ethically.
• Diwali evening: Many Jain families do prayers connected with Bhagwan Mahavir’s Nirvan remembrance.
• New Year / Bestu Varas: Begin the new business year with Navkar Mantra, temple visit, guru vandan, charity, and honest sankalp.

The exact timing may follow your family tradition, local Jain sangh guidance, or your guru’s advice. But the important point is the bhav, not the clock.

Is It Wrong?

If Lakshmi puja is done with the belief, “A goddess will give me wealth,” then that is not aligned with Jain tattva.

If a family does a cultural shop ritual but keeps Jain bhavna—remembering Arihant Bhagwan, doing Navkar Mantra, practicing honesty, and using wealth for dharma—then it becomes much more suitable for a Jain household.

Takeaway

For Jains, the best “shop puja” is not worship of money, but a prayer for:

• right livelihood,
• honest earnings,
• less greed,
• more daya,
• and use of wealth in dharma.

So instead of Lakshmi puja, do Navkar Mantra, Jain mangalik, charity, and a vow of ethical business at your shop.