Short answer In Jain Dharma, the highest worship is only of the Panch Parmeshti—Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu. Manibhadra is a devasthān (yaksha/shāsan‑dev), still within the cycle of birth and death. Because he is not a liberated being, his pūjā is not recommended as a primary spiritual practice.

Why many Jains avoid Manibhadra pūjā

• Goal of worship: Jain worship aims at moksha. Only the Panch Parmeshti can guide to liberation; devas can at best give temporary, worldly help. Turning worship toward boons (lābha, rakshā, vyavahār) increases attachment and new karma.
• Right faith focus: Samyak darshan is nurtured by remembering the qualities of the liberated and the path‑leaders, not by propitiating celestial beings.
• Vow purity: Asking favors from devas can strengthen rāga–dveṣa (likes/dislikes) and parigraha (possessiveness), which is contrary to ahimsā and aparigraha.
• Scriptural sentiment: Traditional teachers repeatedly counsel that even if devas exist and may help, they are never our ultimate refuge; our namaskār is to the Panch Parmeshti.

Tradition-specific note

• Digambar tradition: Generally discourages or avoids worship of yakshas/devis like Manibhadra; emphasizes exclusive worship of Panch Parmeshti.
• Shwetambar (Murti‑pujak) tradition: In some communities, Manibhadra is revered as a shāsan‑dev for protection. Even there, it is secondary and must never replace or overshadow worship of Arihant–Siddha or the Namokār Mantra.

If someone still chooses to bow with respect

• Keep the bhāva only of reverence, not of asking for material favors.
• Do not perform any act that violates ahimsā or Jain maryādā.
• Always begin and center on Namokār Mantra and the Panch Parmeshti; regard any deva as a devotee‑guardian of the Tīrthankars, not an ultimate giver of moksha.

This is why many elders say “better not to do Manibhadra pūjā,” or at least not to make it central—so that our devotion stays pure and liberation‑oriented.