Chaitya Vandan (often spelled Chaityavandan) is a daily Jain worship ritual mainly performed by Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak tradition. It is a mindful bowing to the Pañca-Parameṣṭhī (five revered ones: Arihants, Siddhas, Āchāryas, Upādhyāyas, and Sādhu-saints), with remembrance of the 24 Tīrthaṅkāras, confession of faults, and a resolve to live with restraint. The core aim is to cultivate samyam (self-control) and reverence before the Jina.

What Chaitya Vandan involves (simple, step-by-step outline)

• Shuddhi (purity) and setting: bathe, wear clean simple clothes, sit facing the temple or Jina image.
• Mangalik and Pranam: recite Navkār Mantra (Namaskār) and bow to the Pañca-Parameṣṭhī.
• Kayotsarga and Tīrthaṅkara-smaraṇ: stand motionless (kāyotsarga) and recall the 24 Tīrthaṅkaras.
• Iriyāpathikī (Iriyāvahiyam): seek forgiveness for any harm caused by moving or acting.
• Khamāsamaṇ and Alochanā: offer forgiveness (Khamemi/Khamāsamaṇa) and briefly confess thoughts/words.
• Karemi‑Bhante (samaya sankalpa): vow to observe samyam and right conduct.
• Vandittu/Chaitya‑Vandan passages: revere the Jina and Chaitya; perform circumambulations or bows as appropriate.
• Mangal‑path and Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ: conclude with auspicious lines and seek forgiveness.

Core sutras commonly recited (Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak tradition)

• Navkār Mantra: a fivefold salutation to Arihants, Siddhas, Āchāryas, Upādhyāyas, and all sādhus. Arth: it purifies sins and honors the spiritual lineage.
• Logassa: remembrance of the 24 Tīrthaṅkaras during kāyotsarga; prayer for right vision and concentration.
• Iriyāvahiyam: atonement for harming beings in thought, word, or deed.
• Tassa Uttari‑karaṇa: supplementary repentance for faults confessed.
• Khamāsamaṇa/Khamemi: forgiveness of all beings; request that they forgive me.
• Karemi Bhante: vow to avoid himsā (violence), falsehood, stealing, unchastity, and material attachments during the discipline.
• Vandittu: reverential bowing to the Jina and Chaitya; circumambulation and appropriate prostrations.
• Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṃ: ending prayer with respectful, sincere intention to avoid wrong aims.

Notes on tradition and differences

• Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak: Chaitya Vandan is a standard temple ritual (or a mental recitation when at home) with the above sutras in this order.
• Śvetāmbara Sthānakvāsī/Terāpanth and Digambara: nuances vary. Some communities emphasize similar pratikraman/samayik elements (Navkār, Iriyāvahiyam, Khamemi, etc.) but the literal practice of “Chaitya Vandan” as a temple ritual and the texts used can differ. In Digambara practice, devotional focus often centers on different stotras and the sanskāra of puja, but still includes bowing to the Pañca‑Parameṣṭhī and core confession lines.
• If you want, I can provide the exact original text of specific chaitya-vandan sutras (e.g., Logassa or Iriyāvahiyam) along with a simple arth for each line.

Original texts and arth

• I can share the exact wording of any one sutra as recited, with a straightforward Jain arth that reflects traditional meaning and interpretation for Śvetāmbara practices. If you’d like that, tell me which sutra you want.

You can read more here