Khatu Shyam Temple
The Khatu Shyam Temple is a Hindu temple located in Khatoo town in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. It is a pilgrimage site dedicated to the worship of Khatu Shyam, a divine figure believed to be a manifestation of Barbarika, a character from the Indian epic Mahabharata.[1] The temple is one of the most revered religious sites in Rajasthan, attracting millions of devotees annually, particularly during the Phalgun Mela, a festival held in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February–March).[2]
| Khatu Shyam Temple | |
|---|---|
 Barbarika donates his head to Lord Krishna | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Sikar |
| Deity | Barbarika |
| Location | |
| Location | Khatoo, Sikar district, Rajasthan |
| State | Rajasthan |
| Country |  India |
  Location in Rajasthan  Location in India | |
| Geographic coordinates | 27°21′52″N 75°24′12″E / 27.3645°N 75.4033°E |
History
[edit]According to legend, the temple was originally constructed in 1027 CE by Roop Singh Chauhan, a local ruler. In his dream, he was guided to unearth a buried idol of Barbarika, believed to be the head of the warrior, at a site now known as Shyam Kund, a sacred pond near the temple. The idol was installed in the temple, marking the beginning of its veneration as a holy site. The current structure of the temple, built with white Makrana marble, reflects traditional Rajasthani architecture.[3]
The temple’s prominence grew over centuries, particularly due to its connection with Barbarika, a legendary figure from the Indian epic Mahabharata. Barbarika, the son of Ghatotkacha and grandson of the Pandava Bhima, is revered as Khatu Shyam, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna in the Kali Yuga.[4]
According to tradition, Lord Krishna blessed Barbarika with the boon that he would be worshipped in this age under the name Shyam.[5] The temple’s historical significance was further cemented during the medieval period, including events like the Battle of Khatu Shyamji in 1779, where local chiefs defended the region against Mughal forces.[6]
Origin and mythology
The origins of the Khatu Shyam Ji Temple are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, specifically the epic Mahabharata. The deity worshipped here, Khatu Shyam Ji, is believed to be Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima (one of the Pandava brothers) and son of Ghatotkacha. According to legend, Barbarika was a powerful warrior who possessed three divine arrows capable of determining the outcome of the Kurukshetra war. To ensure fairness in the battle, Lord Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, tested Barbarika’s resolve and ultimately asked him to sacrifice his head as an act of charity. Impressed by his devotion and selflessness, Krishna blessed Barbarika, declaring that he would be worshipped as Shyam (another name for Krishna) in the Kali Yuga (last of four yugas in Hindu cosmology). The temple is believed to house the head of Barbarika, making it a sacred site for devotees.[7][8]
Nishaan yatra
[edit]Nishaan Yatra is a revered pilgrimage honoring Khatu Shyam, a deity linked to Lord Krishna and Barbarika, held annually in Khatoo, Rajasthan. During the Phalguna Mela, lakhs of devotees join this procession, carrying a Nishan—a sacred triangular flag in saffron, orange, or red, symbolizing devotion. Pilgrims travel on foot, typically from Reengus to the Khatu Shyam Temple (about 17 km), chanting prayers, singing bhajans, and dancing.[9] The flag is offered at the temple to seek blessings.[10]
The Surajgarh white flag is annually hoisted atop the Khatushyam temple during the Phalguna Mela. Originating from Surajgarh, a town on the Haryana-Rajasthan border, this flag, adorned with a blue horse, has been raised for more than 300 years, embodying a rich history tied to resistance against Mughal and British attempts to disrupt temple practices.[11]
Crafted in Surajgarh’s ancient temple, the flag is carried in a 152-km padyatra (foot pilgrimage) to Khatushyam. The flag, believed to house Baba Shyam’s divine presence, is hoisted on Phalguna Shukla.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Who was the Barbarika, later known as Khatu Shyam, and what is his connection to the Mahabharata?". Indiatimes. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Khatu Shyam Ji Birthday: The legend of Khatu Shyam and why he is the most revered form of Krishna". The Times of India. 12 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
His main temple is located in the village of Khatu in Rajasthan, Sikar district and attracts millions of devotees from all over the country
- ^ GANGASHETTY, RAMESH (30 October 2019). THIRTHA YATRA: A GUIDE TO HOLY TEMPLES AND THIRTHA KSHETRAS IN INDIA. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-68466-134-3.
It is said that the first temple was constructed in 1027 by King Roop Singh Chauhan as directed in his dream. The temple was built after digging out the Shyam Sheesh from the tank now which is called Shyam Kund
- ^ "महाभारत के बर्बरीक कैसे बने कलियुग के खाटू श्याम? और आखिर क्यों कहा जाता है इन्हें हारे का सहारा?". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Who was the Barbarika, later known as Khatu Shyam, and what is his connection to the Mahabharata?". Indiatimes. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
Before sacrificing his head, Barbarika sought a boon from Krishna. He wished to be worshipped in the Kaliyuga by Krishna's name, Shyam, and that his devotees' prayers be fulfilled. Krishna granted this boon and promised that Barbarika's name would bless his followers with prosperity and happiness
- ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN (PB). Rupa & Company. ISBN 978-81-291-1501-0.
Battle of Khatu–Shyamji. This last occurred when Murtaza Khan Bhadech was sent into Shekhawati to collect revenue arrears. His subsequent march towards Jaipur was blocked at Khatu-Shyamji, where the Shekhawats led by Devi Singh of Sikar defeated the intruder.
- ^ "बर्बरीक ने कहां किया था शीशदान? सीकर में कैसे बना खाटू श्याम धाम, जानिए इतिहास". आज तक (in Hindi). 5 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "खाटू श्याम के दो भाई कौन थे, महाभारत के युद्ध में दोनों किसकी तरफ से लड़े". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 7 February 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "खाटू श्याम पहुंचकर चढ़ाना है निशान? तो ध्यान रखे कहां से शुरू करनी है पदयात्रा, नहीं तो अधूरी रहेगी मन्नत". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 19 April 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Surajgarh Nishan Yatra 2025: खाटूश्यामजी मंदिर पर कैसे शुरू हुई निशान चढ़ाने की परंपरा? झूंझुनू के सूरजगढ़ से है खास कनेक्शन". rajasthan.ndtv.in (in Hindi). Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "खाटू धाम की शान, सूरजगढ़ का निशान: अंग्रेजों ने मंदिर पर ताला लगा दिया था, मोरपंख से खुला द्वार, 325 साल से शीर्ष पर चढ़ता आया है यह ध्वज". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 15 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "मोर पंख से खोल दिया था खाटूधाम का ताला,सबसे पहले खाटू में चढता है सूरजगढ़ का निशान,12 महीने शिखर बंध पर लहराता है ये निशान". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.