The Khatu Shyam Temple is a Hindu temple located in Khatoo village, 43 kilometres from Sikar City in the Sikar district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a pilgrimage site for the deity Krishna and Barbarika, who is often revered as a Kuladevata. Devotees believe the temple houses the head of Barbarika or Khatushyam, a legendary warrior who sacrifices his head at Krishna’s request during the Kurukshetra War.

After the Mahabharata battle, Barbarika’s head (Sheesh) was buried in the Sikar District village of Khatu. The location remained unknown until well after the Kaliyuga period began.

Story Behind Khatu Shyam Temple

According to the legend, impressed by the immense power and ability of Khatu Shyam, Shri Krishna gave him the boon of being worshipped in his name in Kaliyuga. Khatu Shyam ji is known as the Kaliyugi incarnation of Lord Krishna. Every day lakhs of devotees come to visit the grand temple of Shyam Baba located in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. It is believed that Shyam Baba fulfils everyone’s wishes and can take everyone from Low to high.

During the exile, when Pandavas were wandering to save their lives, Bhima encountered Hidimba. Hidimba gave birth to a son from Bhima who was called Ghatokha. Barbarik was the son of Ghatokha. Both of them were known for their bravery and powers. When there was to be a war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Barbarik decided to watch the war. When Lord Krishna asked him whose side he was in the war, he said that he would fight on the side that would lose.

Lord Shri Krishna knew the outcome of the war and was afraid that it might backfire for the Pandavas. In such a situation, Lord Krishna asked for donations to stop Barbarik. He asked for a head in charity. Barbarik gave him the head in charity, but he expressed his desire to see the war to the end.

Shri Krishna accepted his wish and placed his head on a hill at the site of the battle. After the war, Pandavas started fighting as to who got the credit for the victory of the war. Then Barbarik said that he got victory because of Lord Krishna. Lord Shri Krishna was pleased with this sacrifice and gave the boon of being worshipped in the name of Shyam in Kaliyuga.

Radha Cow Offering Milk – It is claimed that a cow named Radha who belongs to the king was coming to that place daily and spontaneously flowing milk from her breasts. People were watching this incident with surprise and started thinking of excavating that place. When excavation was done there, a head appeared, which was handed over to a Brahmin for a few days.

The king of Khatu Nagar was told to build a temple and to adorn that head in the temple. Following that, a temple was built there on Ekadashi of Kartik month and was decorated in the Sheesh temple, which is now celebrated. Roop Singh Chauhan and his wife Narmada Kanwar built the original temple in 1027 AD. On Thakur’s orders, Abhay Singh, Diwan of Thakur, the ruler of Marwar, renovated the temple in 1720 AD. At this time, the temple took its current form, and the idol was placed in the sanctum sanctorum.

History of Khatu Shyam Temple

The original temple was built in 1027 AD by Roop Singh Chauhan after his wife Narmada Kanwar. The idol was discovered at Shyam Kund at the request of Marwar’s then-ruler, Diwan Abhaisingh, who renovated the old temple in 1720 AD. The temple was given its current shape at this time, and the idol was placed in the sanctum sanctorum. The idol is made of a valuable stone. Many families revere Khatushyam as their personal deity.

The architecture of Khatu Shyam Temple

The temple is rich in architectural detail. The structure was built using lime mortar, marble, and tiles. The sanctum sanctorum’s shutters are covered in gold sheets. Outside is the Jagmohan prayer hall. The hall is large (12.3 m x 4.7 m) and its walls are elaborately painted with mythological scenes. The entrance and exit gates are made of marble, as are their brackets, which have ornamental floral designs.

There is an open area in front of the temple’s entrance gate. The Shyam Bagicha is a garden near the temple where flowers are picked and offered to the deity. Within the garden is the Samadhi of Aloo Singh, a great devotee.

The “Shyam Kund” is a holy pond near the temple where Baba Shyam’s ‘Sheesh’ emerged. Devotees bathe and worship Khatu Naresh in this kund. The Gopinath temple is located to the south of the main temple. The Gaurishankar temple is also close by. The Gaurishankar temple is associated with an intriguing story.

According to legend, some soldiers of Mughal Invader Aurangzeb planned to destroy this temple. With their spears, they attacked the Shiva lingam enshrined within this temple. Immediately, blood fountains appeared from the Shiva Lingam. The soldiers fled, terrified. The spear mark can still be seen on the Lingam. The main temple of Khatushyam is located in Khatu Town, about 80 kilometres from Jaipur. Devotees are advised to take the Reengus route.

Facts about Khatu Shyam Temple

• Khatu Shyam Temple is located in the district of Sikar in the state of Rajasthan, 48 kilometres from Sikar and approximately 300 kilometres west of Delhi. It is one of Rajasthan’s most important pilgrimage sites.
• Khatushyamji is the name and manifestation of Barbarika, Ghatotkacha’s son. Barbarika had received a boon from Lord Krishna that he would be known as Krishna’s own name (Shyam) and worshipped during the Kaliyuga period.
• The temple’s architecture is magnificent. The walls of Jagmohan, the outside prayer hall, are intricately painted with mythological scenes.
• The fair held here is an exception in terms of vitality, crowd, and splendour. The shops are beautifully decorated, and visitors can enjoy a variety of cultural shows and sweet treats.
• This is the sacred pond near the Khatu Shyam Temple where the idol was found. It is believed that a dip in this pond cures illnesses and brings good health.
• There is a sacred shivling on the campus, where it is said that blood came out of the shivling when Mughals attacked the shivling.
• People take ritual dips in the Shyam Kund, filled with devotion. Bathing during the annual Phalguna Mela festival is especially beneficial.
• Lord Shyamji is regarded as the God of the Kaliyug (the current age in which sin and wrongdoing are at their peak).

Famous Festivals In Khatu Shyam Temple

• Krishna Janmashtami – Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami, the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadra. The celebrations at the Temple begin early in the morning and continue until late at night.
• Holi – This festival is celebrated in the month of  Phalgun (Feb – March). During the celebration, people celebrate with colours and also celebrate and enjoy in temples complex.

• Falgun Lakhi Mela of Khatu Shyamji – The Falgun Mela is Rajasthan’s largest festival. The head was revealed on Falgun Sudi Ekadashi, so the fair will take place from the 9th to the 12th of the same month.

• Rath Yatra of Khatu Shyam –  Baba Shyam goes on a city tour in the form of Rath Yatra to give darshan to devotees during the month of Falgun, during the Lakkhi fair, on the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha.

• Khatu Shyam Baba’s birthday – Baba Shyam was born on the 11th of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, so Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is known as Shyam Janmotsav or Birthday. On this day, devotees congregate in Baba’s court and celebrate his birthday.

How to Reach Khatu Shyam Temple

The best time to visit the Khatu Shyam Temple is between November and February, and during Khatu Shyam Ji’s birthday which is celebrated grandly here.

By Air: The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport at a distance of nearly 94 kilometres from Khatu Shyam Temple.

By Rail: The nearest convenient railway station is Ringas Junction railway station at a distance of nearly 17 kilometres from Khatu Shyam Temple.

By Road: State Transport Bus services connect Khatu Village with the Rest Of Rajasthan. The best route is via Sawai Jai Singh Hwy to Jaipur Road/Sikar Road to Agra – Bikaner Road(also known as NH11), which will take you to MDR46, Khatu bus stand.

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