How to do Pooja in derasar

Here is a simple, tradition‑faithful way to do pūjā in a derāsar (Jain temple). The heart of Jain pūjā is bhāva (inner purity). Dravya (materials) are only supports.

Before you go

• Bathe, wear clean modest clothes (preferably light/white). Avoid leather items.
• Keep maun/silence in the temple. Do not eat or drink inside. Ideally do pūjā before taking food.
• Wash hands/feet at the temple. Remove footwear outside. Keep the area spotless.

When you enter the temple

• Stand calmly, join palms, and recite the Navkār Mantra with full concentration.
• Do three pradakṣiṇā (circumambulations) of the main shrine, if space allows.
• Do pañchāṅga-pranām (five‑limb prostration) mentally to all Tīrthaṅkars, Ācārya, Upādhyāya, and Sādhus.
• Sit steadily (padmāsan/ardha‑padmāsan) and cultivate samyag‑bhāva: “I bow to the passions‑free Arihants; may my karmas shed.”

Ashta‑prakāri Pūjā (Eight‑fold worship) Note: Follow your temple’s local niyam and pujāri’s instructions. Touching the mūrti is usually done only by the appointed pujāri.

1) Jal Pūjā (water)

• Offer pure water at the pādukā/bimba as permitted.
• Bhāva: May my soul be cleansed of karmic impurities like water cleanses.

2) Chandan (sandal)

• Offer chandan or see it being offered.
• Bhāva: Coolness and peace like the passions‑free Arihants.

3) Pushpa (flowers)

• Offer fresh, unstained flowers.
• Bhāva: Let virtues blossom within; may I shed faults.

4) Dhūp (incense)

• Light incense where allowed.
• Bhāva: May the fragrance of right conduct spread; may delusion be dispelled.

5) Dīpa (lamp)

• Offer lamp or take part in temple dīpo.
• Bhāva: Light of right knowledge removes ignorance.

6) Akṣat (unbroken rice)

• Offer clean, unbroken rice.
• Bhāva: Firm, unbroken vows and steady sādhanā.

7) Naivedya (pure food, usually sweets)

• Offer simple, sattvic naivedya (never tasting it beforehand).
• Bhāva: Inner contentment; freedom from craving.

8) Phal (fruit)

• Offer whole, clean fruit.
• Bhāva: The true “fruit” is mokṣa; may I progress toward it.

During or between each step, softly recite the Navkār Mantra. Keep materials minimal and pure; avoid waste and show deep care for cleanliness.

Aarti and Mangal Dīvo

• Many Śvetāmbara mūrtipūjak derasars do morning/evening ārtī and maṅgal dīvo. Join respectfully, focusing on gratitude to the Tīrthaṅkars.

Chaitya‑Vandan (Śvetāmbara mūrtipūjak)

• If you have learned Chaitya‑Vandan, do it after pūjā: Logassa, Namutthunam, Uvasagga‑Haraṃ, Khamāsamana, etc., with proper posture and modesty.

Key differences by tradition

• Śvetāmbara mūrtipūjak: Commonly perform Aṣṭa‑prakāri Pūjā as above; snātra‑pūjā and other vidhi may be done on special days. Pujāri usually performs abhishek; general devotees do darśan and dravya‑pūjā without touching the mūrti unless temple rules allow.
• Digambara: Morning abhiṣek (pañcāmr̥t: milk, curd, ghee, sugar, honey) and śāntidhārā are common under pujāri guidance, followed by dravya‑pūjā (often also with eight substances). Many Digambara temples do āratī and stavan after pūjā. Follow the temple’s specific niyam.

Conduct and purity notes

• Maintain absolute non‑violence: handle flowers/fruit gently; do not crush insects; keep the floor dry and clean.
• Avoid strong perfumes, loud talk, phone use, and any hurried movements.
• Offerings are symbols; real worship is inner transformation—cultivate forgiveness, humility, and equanimity.

Core recitation (Navkār Mantra) “Namo Arihantāṇam, Namo Siddhāṇam, Namo Āyariyāṇam, Namo Uvajjhāyāṇam, Namo Loe Savva‑Sāhūṇaṃ.” Meaning (arth): I bow to Arihants, Siddhas, Āchāryas, Upādhyāyas, and all Sādhus of the world. By bowing to these five, karmic impurities diminish and auspiciousness arises.

If you wish to learn full Chaitya‑Vandan or Snātra‑Pūjā with exact vidhis and shlokas, study under your local guru/pujāri and follow your own sect’s niyam precisely.