Chaityavandan vidhi for pooja

Below is a simple, traditional outline you can follow. I’m giving the commonly used Shwetambar Murtipujak sequence first. A brief Digambar outline is at the end. Local gacha/paddhati may have small variations, so follow your temple’s guidance where it differs.

Chaityavandan Vidhi (Shwetambar Murtipujak)

Preparation

• Clean body and wear simple, clean clothes (preferably white). Use muhpatti if that’s your practice.
• Do pachchakkhan (a small resolve) to maintain inner purity during puja.

Entering the derasar 1) Three Nissihi - First Nissihi at the outer threshold. - Second Nissihi inside the mandir. - Third Nissihi near the upashray/chaitya or before the main vedi. Meaning: renounce worldly thoughts and focus on the Jina.

2) Pradakshina - Circumambulate the vedi or garbha-griha (usually 3 times), with joined hands and steady mind.

3) Darshan and Panchang Pranam - Do panchang (five-limb) or ashta-anga pranam as per your custom. - Mentally offer yourself at the feet of the Tirthankar.

If doing Ashta‑prakari Puja (optional, if allowed at your temple)

• Offer jal, chandan, pushpa, dhup, deepak, akshat, naivedya, phal with pure bhav and short stutis. Keep the place clean and uncluttered.

Chaityavandan (the main avashyak sequence at the temple) Sit steadily (padmasan/ardha‑padmasan/straight), keep a calm mind.

4) Navkar Mantra - Recite with full concentration (many recite 9 times).

5) Chauvisattho (Chaturvimsati‑stava) - Recite Logassa (praise of the 24 Tirthankars).

6) Vandana - Offer salutations to the Panch‑Parameshthi. Do respectful vandana to living sadhu–sadhvi only if they are present (as per maryada). Otherwise, keep it mentally.

7) Avastha‑Chintan - Contemplate the three avasthas of the Tirthankar (garbha