Khatu Shyam Temple

Khatu Shyam Temple (Rajasthani/Hindi: खाटू श्याम मंदिर) is a Hindu temple situated in Khatoo village in the Sikar district of the Indian State of Rajasthan. It is a pilgrimage site for worshipping the deity Krishna and Barbarika who is often venerated as a Shyam Baba. Devotees believe the temple houses the head of Barbarika or Khatu-Shyam, a legendary warrior who sacrifices his head upon the request of Krishna during the antebellum of the Kurukshetra War.
Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha and Ahilawati. Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima, who was the son of King Pandu of Hastinapur and one of the five Pandava brothers. Ahilawati was the daughter of the serpent king Vasuki. (Some may claim that this information is incorrect, but it is entirely accurate, as it is clearly written in the Akhndjyoti Path, which details the life of Khatu Shyam.)
Barbarika was a formidable warrior known for his invincibility and possessed three powerful arrows that could guarantee victory in any battle. These arrows had special powers: the first would mark everything he intended to destroy, the second would mark everything he wished to save, and the third would destroy all the marked targets.
When Barbarika learned that his ancestors had marched into battle against the Kaurava princes, he left home to witness the conflict. He assured his mother that he would intervene only on behalf of the side that was losing. Meanwhile, Krishna, in disguise, was surveying the warriors to determine how long each believed they would need to end the war if given the chance. Bhishma estimated 20 days, Karna 24 days, Dronacharya 25 days, and Arjuna believed he could achieve victory in 28 days.
When Krishna asked Barbarika the same question, he claimed he could end the war in just a fraction of a second. He explained that his arrows could swiftly identify and strike down the targets, ensuring the safety of his allies while defeating his enemies instantly. However, Krishna was skeptical and decided to test Barbarika’s claim. He took Barbarika to a sacred fig tree and instructed him to target all the dry leaves, making them fall to the ground. As commanded, Barbarika used his arrows to destroy all the dry leaves. However, the arrow then circled Krishna’s feet, prompting Barbarika to say, "Lord, please move your feet aside—there is a dry leaf beneath them." At this moment, Krishna realized the true power of Barbarika’s arrows. (The place where Krishna tested Barbarika’s arrows is now known as Bid Babran Dham in the Hisar district of Haryana, India.)
Krishna then asked which side Barbarika intended to support. Barbarika, recalling his promise to his mother, assumed he would fight for the Pandavas, as they had a smaller army compared to the Kauravas. However, Krishna explained a paradox: Barbarika’s presence would inevitably tilt the balance of the war in favor of whichever side he fought for, thus violating his vow. He would be forced to keep switching sides, and in the end, he alone would remain standing.
Distressed by this realization, Barbarika was left puzzled. Krishna then offered a solution. According to tradition, the bravest warrior’s head had to sanctify the battlefield. To prevent total destruction, Barbarika willingly sacrificed his head for the cause, allowing the war to commence with his act of honor. (The place where Barbarika sacrificed his head is now known as Chulkana Dham in the state of Haryana, India.)
Many years after Kali Yuga started, the head was found buried in the village of Khatoo (Sikar district) in present-day Rajasthan. The location was obscured until well after the Kali Yuga period began. Then, on one occasion, milk started flowing spontaneously out of a cow's udder when she neared the burial spot. Amazed at this incident, the local villagers dug the place up (now known as "Shyam Kund") and the buried head was revealed. The head was handed over to a Brahmin who worshipped it for many days, awaiting divine revelations as to what was to be done next. Roopsingh Chauhan, king of Khatu, then had a dream where he was inspired to build a temple and install the head therein. Subsequently, a temple was built and the idol was installed on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (bright half) of the month of Phalgun.
There is another, only slightly different version of this legend. Roopsingh Chauhan was the ruler of Khatu. His wife, Narmada Kanwar, once had a dream in which the deity instructed her to take his image out of the earth. The indicated place (now known as Shyam Kund) was then dug up. Sure enough, it yielded the idol, which was duly enshrined in the temple.
The original temple was built in 1027 AD by Roopsingh Chauhan, after his wife Narmada Kanwar, saw dream about the buried idol. The place where the idol was dug out from is called Shyam Kund. In 1720 AD, a nobleman known as Diwan Abhaisingh renovated the old temple, at the behest of the then ruler of Marwar. The temple took its present shape at this time and the idol was enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum. The idol is made of rare stone. Khatushyam is the family deity of many families.
Another temple is located at Lambha, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. People bring their newly born children to have blessings of Khatushyam. Here he is known as Baliya Dev.
The temple is architecturally rich. Lime mortar, white marble and tiles have been used in constructing the structure. The shutters of the sanctum sanctorum are covered with silver sheet. The outside large prayer hall is named "Jagmohan". The hall walls are elaborately painted, depicting mythological scenes. The entrance gate and exit gate are made of marble; their brackets are also of marble, featuring ornamental floral designs.
There is an open space in front of the entrance gate of the temple. The "Shyam Bagichi" is a garden near the temple from where picked flowers are to be offered to the deity. The Samadhi of Aloo Singh, a great devotee, is located within the garden.
The "Shyam Kund" is a holy pond near the temple from where the 'Sheesh (Head)' of baba shyam came out. In this kund devotees take bath and do worship of khatu naresh (Lord of Khatu).
The Gopinath temple lies to the south-east of the main temple. The Gaurishankar temple also lies nearby. There is an interesting tale associated with the Gaurishankar temple. It is said that some soldiers of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb wanted to destroy this temple. They attacked the Shiva lingam enshrined within this temple with their spears. Immediately, fountains of blood appeared from the Shiva Lingam. The soldiers ran away, terrified. One can still see the mark of the spear on the Lingam.
Khatushyam main temple is located at Khatu Town about 80 km from Jaipur. Devotees are requested to take route via Reengus.
The Public Trust that has charge of the temple is registered under registration No. 3/86. A 7-member committee oversees the management of the temple. Shyam Mandir Committee manages and organizes the festivals and other important events every year in the village. The major festival for which the trust is the most responsible body to organize the event is Falgun Mela. Involvement in the Prasad preparation, barricading, cleanliness, temporary arrangements, water facilities, electricity supply, arrangements of generators, decorations, sound system, preparation of barriers, video coverage, closed circuit T.V., etc. is being done by the trust. A number of Dharmashalas (charity lodges) are available for their comfortable stay. The temple timings are as follows:
The temple is also open throughout the 4-days of Phalgun Mela.
The ritual of the Nishaan yatra is one of the most remarkable yatra of Khatu Shyam. Lakhs of devotees come every year to be a part of the yatra. The devotees carry a sacred flag throughout the yatra to offer to the lord. The flag signifies the devotion and love of devotees. The devotees travel by foot with the flag to the temple of Khatu Shyam.
People usually start their journey from Rengus to Khatu. Throughout this ritual, people chant prayers, dance, and sing bhajans. During the phalgun mela, most people join the yatra. Devotees enjoy this experience as it builds up their faith and spirituality.