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Khatu Shyam Ji Temple

Khatu (Khatushyamji town), Sikar district, Rajasthan

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Khatu Shyam Ji Temple
Photo: Indrapal Jangid, CC BY-SA 3.0

About

Khatu Shyam Ji Temple, in Khatu town of Sikar district, is one of the most loved pilgrim places of Rajasthan. Here Barbarik, grandson of Bhim, is worshipped as Shyam, a name of Shri Krishna. Devotees call him 'Haare ka Sahara', the support of those who have lost hope. The murti here is his head (sheesh). Next to the temple is Shyam Kund, where the head is believed to have been found. Lakhs of devotees come for the Phalgun mela, and many walk about 17 km from Reengus carrying saffron nishaan flags.

The story

The Mahabharat tradition tells of Barbarik, son of Ghatotkach and grandson of Bhim. He was a great archer, and as a blessing he had received three arrows that could win any battle. Before the Kurukshetra war he set out to fight, having promised his mother that he would always stand with the side that was losing. Shri Krishna came to him dressed as a Brahmin and tested him. Krishna saw that because of this promise the war would never end, so he asked Barbarik for the gift of his head. On Phalgun Shukla Dwadashi, Barbarik gave it gladly and asked only to watch the whole war. Krishna placed the head on a high hill and blessed him that in Kaliyug he would be worshipped by Krishna's own name, Shyam.

Local belief says that centuries later a cow would stand at one spot in Khatu every day, and milk would flow from her by itself. When the ground there was dug, the sheesh was found. The ruler of Khatu was then inspired in a dream to build a temple. By tradition the first temple was built in 1027 CE by Roop Singh Chauhan and his wife Narmada Kanwar, and the sheesh was installed on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi. In 1720 Diwan Abhay Singh rebuilt the temple, and it took its present shape then.

Visiting

October to March is the best time; summers here are very hot. Crowds are huge during the Phalgun mela and on Ekadashi, so families with elders and small children may find other days easier. The nearest railway station is Reengus, about 17 km away. Shyam Kund is next to the temple, and Jeen Mata and Salasar Balaji can be visited on the same trip.

Festivals

  • Phalgun Lakkhi Mela (around Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi and Dwadashi, for several days)
  • Shyam Baba Janmotsav (Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Kartik Shukla Ekadashi)
  • Shukla Ekadashi (Gyaras) of every month
  • Shri Krishna Janmashtami

Devta dhams

Sources