Siddhachakra Pooja (Navpad Pooja) — simple guide

What it is

• Siddhachakra is the sacred yantra of the Navapad (nine supremacies): Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu, Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnan, Samyak Charitra, and Samyak Tap.
• This pooja honors these nine and strengthens right faith, knowledge, conduct, and austerity.
• It is especially performed during the 9‑day Navpad/Ayambil Oli observed twice a year.

The Navapad (nine) at a glance 1) Arihant 2) Siddha 3) Acharya 4) Upadhyaya 5) Sadhu 6) Samyak Darshan 7) Samyak Jnan 8) Samyak Charitra 9) Samyak Tap

When to do

• Any day with devotion; traditionally highlighted during Chaitra and Ashwin Navpad/Ayambil Oli (9 days).

Basic, easy home‑vidhi (keep it simple and ahiṁsā‑friendly) 1) Shuddhi and sankalp

• Clean the place, bathe/wash hands–feet, wear clean clothes.
• Sit calmly; take a sankalp of bhakti and inner shuddhi.

2) Yantra sthapana

• Draw/place the Siddhachakra (with rice/akshat or a clean printed/metal yantra).

Center: Arihant; Top: Siddha; Right of center: Acharya; Bottom: Upadhyaya; Left: Sadhu; the four corners clockwise: Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnan, Samyak Charitra, Samyak Tap.

3) Mangalik and Navkar

• Recite Navkar Mantra with bhaav (9, 27, or 108 times as you wish).

4) Vandana of the nine pads

• For each pad, offer pushpa/akshat and recite at least:

- Namo Arihantanam - Namo Siddhanam - Namo Ayariyanam - Namo Uvajjhayanam - Namo Loe Savva‑Sahunam - Samyak Darshan, Jnan, Charitra, Tap: remember their bhaav and offer akshat/pushpa with silent praise for cultivating them within.

5) Ashta‑prakari (optional, if maryada allows)

• To Arihant in the center: jal, chandan, pushpa, dhoop, deep, akshat, naivedya, phal—keeping purity and non‑waste. If at home, prefer sukha pooja (dry offerings).

6) Stotra/bhakti

• Recite Siddhachakra/Navpad stavan or Shripal‑Mayanasundari katha summary with samyak bhaav. End with universal kalyan‑prarthana.

7) Aarti and kshamapana

• Perform aarti (if your maryada permits). Do kshamapana for any lapses and conclude with Navkar.

Bhav (inner approach)

• Humility, non‑attachment, compassion, and resolve to reduce kashayas (anger, pride, deceit, greed).
• Offerings are symbolic; the real pooja is cultivating the nine qualities within.

Tradition notes

• Shwetāmbara: Siddhachakra Mahāpooja and Ayambil Oli are prominently performed with the yantra and related stavans.
• Digambara: Navapad ārādhana is emphasized; sequence and chants may differ, but focus on the same nine supremacies.
• Always follow the maryada taught by your guru/sangh.

Helpful references

• About Ayambil/Navpad Oli
• Simple Siddhachakra Pujan overview
• Navkar Mantra meaning and vidhi (useful during pooja)

Essence

• Siddhachakra Pooja is the worship of the highest ideals of Jain Dharma. With right bhaav, even a simple, quiet pooja with Navkar and remembrance of the nine pads becomes deeply purifying.