In Jainism, “puja” (worship) is a devotional practice aimed at revering along the path to self-purification. Broadly, there are a few common kinds:

• Pratimā Puja (idol/image worship): Paying homage to the Tirthankaras and other enlightened beings by offering flowers, lamp, incense, and reciting mantras. This is done both in temples and at home in front of a statue or image. It centers on gratitude, reverence, and inner resolve to follow the path.

• Chaitya Puja (temple/shrine worship): A structured devotional rite performed in a chaitya or temple setting, including offerings, prayers, bhajans (devotional songs), and salutations to the arihants, siddhas, and mahapurushas. It emphasizes reverence for the sacred place and the taught path.

• Nam-Kar/Navkar Mantra and Stavan (court of praise): Reciting the Navkar Mantra and various stavan (hymns) that honor the Tirthankaras and acknowledge the true nature of the soul. This is a form of mental and vocal devotion that can be done anywhere.

• Samayik, Pratikraman, and Paushad: Internal purification practices that are sometimes described as devotional acts.

- Samayik is a fixed-period meditation with a vow to focus on right conduct. - Pratikraman is confession and repentance for past misdeeds, with reflection on beliefs and vows. - Paushad is a fasting or dietary observance tied to spiritual discipline.

• Svadhyay (study) and Bhakti in daily life: Reading or listening to Jain scriptures and engaging in mindful, virtuous actions, often done in a devotional mood, even if not tied to a temple ritual.

Notes on tradition:

• Digambar and Shwetambar traditions may differ in some procedures, titles, and emphasis, but both regard puja as a means to purify the mind and strengthen commitment to ahimsa (non-violence), aorden of satya (truth), and other ethical virtues.
• The spiritual essence of puja in Jainism is not about magical power or external rewards; it is about intention, discipline, humility, and steady progress on the path to liberation.

If you’d like, tell me which kind you’re curious about (e.g., how to perform Pratimā Puja at home, or the steps of Chaitya Puja in a temple), and I can describe the practice in simple, authentic Jain terms.