Answer

In many Jain families and traditions, women are advised not to enter the temple/derasar or perform direct puja during menstruation because it is considered a time of physical impurity and bodily discharge, and temple worship requires a high level of external cleanliness, ritual purity, and careful discipline.

This practice is mainly connected with traditional rules of shuddhi — ritual cleanliness — not with disrespect toward women.

Explanation

In Jain Dharma, a derasar is a sacred place where one approaches Arihant Bhagwan with purity of body, speech, and mind. During menstruation:

• The body is naturally undergoing discharge.
• Traditional Jain practice treats such bodily discharge as a state unsuitable for direct temple rituals.
• Temple activities like touching puja items, offering flowers, rice, sandalwood, or doing abhishek require strict external cleanliness.
• Women may also need rest during this time, so avoiding temple duties can be seen as giving the body relief.

Different Jain communities may follow this with different strictness. Some avoid entering the derasar completely, while some mainly avoid touching idols, puja materials, or performing ritual worship.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that the soul itself is always pure. Menstruation does not make the soul impure, inferior, or sinful.

The restriction is related to bodily condition and ritual discipline, not spiritual worth. A woman can still do many forms of devotion during this time, such as:

• Reciting Navkar Mantra mentally
• Doing samayik if followed according to family tradition
• Listening to stavans or pravachan
• Reading Jain teachings
• Practicing forgiveness, humility, and inner reflection

Takeaway

The traditional reason is ritual purity and physical cleanliness, not discrimination against women. During periods, Jain practice generally encourages inner bhakti, mantra, reflection, and rest instead of temple rituals.